Makabuhay vines may shrink tumors

MANILA, Philippines - A climbing vine, found in many parts of the Philippines, has the potential to shrink tumors, according to a study published earlier this year.

The study, published in the International Journal of Bio-Science and Bio-Technology last June, used duck embryos to test if the extract from the makabuhay (called manunggal in the Visayas) plant, in varying doses, could stop the embryos from forming blood vessels.

Researchers Rey Tantiado and Virgie Tan from the West Visayas State University and the Iloilo Doctors’ College said they did the study because solid tumors account for more than 85 percent of cancer mortality in humans and tumor growth and metastasis are dependent on blood vessels.

Using 30 duck eggs incubated and treated with varying concentrations of makabuhay stem extract – at 25 percent, 50 percent, 75 percent and 100 percent – they found that “the greater the dosage, the lesser the (blood vessel) branch points that were observed and counted.”

They recommended further study to “define more precisely the mechanism” by which the plant extract inhibits the formation of blood vessels in the duck embryo “as well as the pathological relevance of these findings.”

The makabuhay plant, according to the website www.stuartxchange.org  is used to lower fever, heal wounds and ulcers, treat malaria, kill parasites in humans and rid plants of pests.