New anthroposophic medicine for the holistic treatment of cancer

Helleborus foetidus – Stinkende Nieswurz – Stinking hellebore

The Cell Biology and In Vitro Toxicology group is happy to share its latest results from a collaborative project between the FHNW Institute for Chemistry and Bioanalytics, the University of Basel (Group of Olivier Potterat) and Iscador AG, supported by Innosuisse.

The team isolated several substances from the aerial parts of Helleborus foetidus. From the 18 compounds analyzed, one was reported for the first time as a genuine natural product. Tested on a human breast cancer cell line (MCF-7), the compounds showed cytotoxic activity strongly correlated with the presence of a C-19 aldehyde group with IC₅₀ values in the range of 2.4 nM – >10 μM. 

The data complement the scientific basis underpinning the use of H. foetidus in anthroposophic medicine for the integrative treatment of cancer.

Thanks to Michaela Caj and Dr. Michel Sciotti for this nice work!