Combination of Chemotherapy and Natural Extract Castalin Enhances Cancer Treatment Effectiveness
New study shows that combining chemotherapy with natural extract castalin from chestnuts can boost cancer treatment effectiveness and reduce side effects, offering hope for improved therapies.
Recent research has revealed that incorporating the natural compound castalin with traditional chemotherapy may significantly improve cancer drug efficacy. This breakthrough finding, emerging from a collaborative effort between the Pascale Foundation in Naples and the Sbarro Institute in Philadelphia, highlights castalin's potential as a powerful adjunct in cancer therapy. Found in by-products of chestnuts, castalin functions as a potent inducer of reactive oxygen species (ROS), leading to DNA damage in cancer cells.
The study, published in the journal Antioxidants, titled "Castalin Induces ROS Production, Leading to DNA Damage and Increasing the Activity of CHK1 Inhibitor in Cancer Cell Lines," demonstrates how castalin can amplify the effects of CHK1 inhibitors—drugs currently undergoing Phase 1 clinical trials. Tests on triple-negative breast cancer cell models, one of the most aggressive forms of breast cancer, showed that castalin enhances the drugs' ability to damage cancer cells.
Experts believe that this natural molecule could also help reduce side effects associated with conventional cancer treatments. Dr. Margherita D'Angelo from the University of Vanvitelli and Dr. Annamaria Medugno from the University of Siena, the study’s lead authors, emphasize the potential of castalin in creating more effective and less harmful therapies.
Dr. Luigi Alfano, leader of the research team, notes that this discovery advances the ongoing quest to identify natural molecules that can be integrated into cancer treatments. The findings suggest promising applications, especially in fighting triple-negative breast cancer.
Looking ahead, researchers aim to explore clinical applications of castalin both as a standalone treatment and in conjunction with existing chemotherapy agents. Prof. Antonio Giordano from the Sbarro Institute highlights the significance of turning to nature for innovative solutions in oncology.
This research emphasizes the importance of natural compounds in the future of personalized and targeted cancer therapies, paving the way for potentially more effective and tolerable treatment options.
Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-09-chemotherapy-natural-castalin-cancer-drug.html
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