South Africa's Indigenous Cancer Bush Shows Promise Against Drug-Resistant Cancers in Preclinical Studies

Researchers at North-West University (search)Search term's Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences have reported that Lessertia frutescens (search)Search drug, an indigenous South African plant commonly known as cancer bush or kankerbos, has demonstrated potent anticancer activity in laboratory studies, including against aggressive, drug-resistant cancer types where conventional chemotherapies have shown limited to no efficacy.

Professor Chrisna Gouws from the faculty of health sciences at North-West University (search)Search term led the research, which tested extracts from the plant on cultured human cancer cells and more advanced, laboratory-grown three-dimensional tumor models known as spheroids. "Lessertia frutescens (search)Search drug has shown significant anticancer activity against several different cancer types in our research," Gouws said.

Activity Against Drug-Resistant Cancers

The findings are particularly notable for the extract's apparent effectiveness in drug-resistant cancers. "What is very interesting and exciting is the apparent activity in drug-resistant cancers, such as resistant small-cell lung cancer (search)Search disease, where known chemotherapies have limited to no activity," Gouws explained. "This provides us with new avenues to investigate for treatment options to treat cancers currently considered incurable."

The research specifically highlighted activity against colorectal cancer (search)Search disease and drug-resistant small-cell lung cancer (search)Search disease, two aggressive forms of the disease that present significant treatment challenges in clinical practice.

A Plant with Deep Traditional Roots

Lessertia frutescens (search)Search drug has been used in traditional medicine for generations across South Africa. The plant is considered non-toxic and safe for use based on its long history of traditional application. Unlike standard chemotherapy, which often carries harsh side effects, the cancer bush extract appears to offer anticancer activity without the significant adverse effects commonly associated with conventional treatments.

Gouws noted that Lessertia has known boosting effects for the digestive and immune systems and may have mood-enhancing activities. "It may therefore not only target the cancer but positively impact the patient as a whole at the same time," she said.

Path Toward Commercialization

The research team is pursuing a dual-track development strategy. The next scientific phase involves animal model testing planned for later this year to confirm safety and efficacy, a necessary step before any future clinical trials can be considered. Concurrently, the researchers are developing a complementary medicine product that could be available in pharmacies by 2027.

"Although many molecules have been identified and shown to contribute to the anticancer activity of the plant, the mechanism of action remains mostly unclear. We are therefore delving deeper now to try and understand how and why this plant works," Gouws said.

The path to a targeted therapeutic treatment remains a longer-term prospect. "Getting towards a targeted treatment is still a long way off, because you need to identify single compounds with the activity and it's a very complex plant," Gouws explained. "But we hope to have a commercial product ready for supportive treatment by next year."

Supply Chain and Regulatory Considerations

The researchers have noted that the geographic region where the plant is grown significantly impacts its phytochemical composition and, consequently, its biological activity. To date, the team has primarily worked with plant material sourced from the Western Cape region. For commercial production, the university plans to source material only from commercial suppliers holding the necessary bioprospecting permits required under South African law.

The team is in ongoing communication with the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment regarding compliance with the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act and the Bioprospecting, Access and Benefit-Sharing Regulations. A Discovery Phase Notification application has been submitted as required.

Accessibility and Economic Potential

A plant-based treatment derived from locally sourced material could offer significant advantages in terms of cost and accessibility. Chemotherapy can be prohibitively expensive and difficult to access in rural areas. A locally manufactured plant-based alternative may help bridge this gap while also creating economic opportunities through farming as demand for the raw plant material increases.