Potential Cancer-Fighting Properties of Fermented Stevia Leaf Extract

Recent research from Hiroshima University reveals that stevia leaf extract, commonly known as a zero-calorie sweetener, may have promising anticancer properties when processed through fermentation. The study demonstrated that fermenting stevia extract with bacteria isolated from banana leaves, specifically Lactobacillus plantarum SN13T, enables the extract to selectively target and kill pancreatic cancer cells without harming healthy kidney cells.

The research, published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, highlights that the fermentation process enhances the bioactivity of stevia by producing beneficial metabolites. A key finding was the identification of chlorogenic acid methyl ester (CAME) as the active compound responsible for the anti-cancer effects. Fermentation significantly increased CAME's potency, leading to increased cell death and apoptosis in pancreatic cancer cell lines, specifically PANC-1.

The team compared fermented and non-fermented stevia extracts, discovering that the fermented version (FSLE) exhibited greater cytotoxicity against cancer cells and lower toxicity toward normal cells. This suggests that microbial biotransformation of herbal extracts can optimize their therapeutic potential.

Further analysis indicated that microbial enzymes transformed chlorogenic acid in the extract into CAME, which exhibited stronger pro-apoptotic effects. Researchers plan to advance their studies into animal models to determine effective dosages and further understand the therapeutic potential of fermented stevia extract.

This breakthrough points to the potential use of probiotic fermentation as a natural and effective strategy in developing anti-tumor agents from medicinal plants. The findings support the ongoing exploration of probiotics and fermented herbal extracts in cancer prevention and therapy.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-07-stevia-leaf-potential-anticancer-treatment.html