Pennywort (Centella asiatica), a medicinal herb used in traditional medicine across Asia for centuries, has recently gained attention for its potential role as a telomerase activator.
What is Pennywort?
Pennywort grows as a perennial herb found in Asia, Africa, and parts of Europe. Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) used pennywort to treat skin conditions, anxiety, and cognitive decline. The plant has bioactive compounds, such as triterpenoids, saponins, and flavonoids, which contribute to its therapeutic effects.
Now, recent research suggests that pennywort may have the ability to slow or inhibit telomerase, which could have significant implications for cancer therapy.
The Role of Telomerase in Aging
Pennywort is known to contain various compounds that are believed to be telomerase activators.
Telomeres are repetitive DNA sequences found at the ends of chromosomes. In most normal cells, telomeres shorten with each cell division, eventually leading to cell death. This process acts as a natural limit on how many times a cell can divide. Telomerase compensates for this telomerase shortening by adding more genetic material to the ends of those chromosomes.
Telomerase Activators Can Protect Cells
Previously, scientists discovered compounds that increase the activity of telomerase. However, this effect is usually a double or less-than-doubling effect.
However, Asiatic pennywort may increased telomerase activation by a factor of 8.8.
Additional Health Benefits
Aside from its telomerase-activating properties, pennywort offers several other health benefits that could make it an appealing option for cancer patients. Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties help reduce oxidative stress and inflammation. Researchers associate both with cancer progression. Additionally, pennywort may promote wound healing, which may aid in recovery for patients undergoing surgery or other invasive treatments.
Future Research
Despite the promising potential of pennywort as a telomerase activator, more research is neededs Laboratory studies have shown that pennywort compounds can activate telomerase, it is unclear how these findings translate to effects in the human body. Moreover, scientists do not know how available these compounds are to the body. Several companies are focusing on extracting and refining specific telomerase-inhibiting compounds from pennywort to isolate the beneficial effects.
Pennywort is an interesting natural candidate in the search for telomerase inhibitors that can help treat cancer. With its long history of medicinal use and its emerging role in telomerase inhibition, this little herb could play a significant role in the development of new cancer therapies.
