CANCER

Could Zulu plant cure cancer?

An African plant used by Zulu tribesmen for generations may herald a breakthrough in treating illnesses that affect our immune system such as asthma and ME.

Research in Britain, South Africa and the U.S. is under way to reveal the properties of this remarkable plant known as the African potato.

Zulus used the potato for its laxative effect - it cleansed the system, as well as apparently giving relief from skin diseases, colds and flu.

In recent years, however, research has found that ingredients in the potato seem to be able to slow down the onset of Aids and cancer.

For the past year, British medical experts have been researching its effectiveness as an 'immunobooster'.

Scientists have discovered that the potato is one of the richest natural sources of hormone-like substances called sterols. They have the effect of boosting the body's immune system, by stimulating T-cells that act as 'fighter' cells against disease.

Most types of fruit and vegetable contain sterols, but industrial food processing means that many sterols have been destroyed before the produce reaches the shelves.

Leading the research in this country is Dr John Wilkinson, a senior lecturer in herbal medicine at Middlesex University. He said: 'This is a very exciting new product.

'We are collating all the worldwide research and over the past 20 years clinical studies have found that it does have the effect of strengthening the body's immune system, without any toxicity or side-effects that we have found so far.'

The biggest clinical trial has taken place in South Africa. Immunologist Professor Patrick Bouic, at the University of Stellenbosch, found that HIV patients eating the vegetable maintained blood lymphocyte levels over 27 months. But each person in the control group who chose not to eat it died.

Dr Wilkinson said: 'Another South African study, in 1995, looked at its use in the treatment of patients with lung cancer. Patients taking the potato in tablet form survived longer than those taking the placebo, and one person lived five years longer than the original prognosis.

'The active ingredient found within the sterols is called hypoxoside, a fighter chemical whose properties have an anti-inflammatory effect, anti-viral components - it tackles viruses which bring illnesses such as influenza - and immune stimulants.'

What is so interesting, he said, is that the remedy can have such a range of benefits, not just for slowing down the onset of diseases which attack the immune system, such as Aids, but also for pain relief and as a preventative against colds and flu.

The vegetable looks like a bulbous, hairy, purple version of the ordinary potato, and grows in South Africa. Extract from the potato is available in tablet form in the UK.

Andrew Tully, who runs a pharmaceutical company in Quazulu Natal, said: 'We have a massive Aids problem here - in some places the infection rate is 60pc. People eat the potato to build up their T-cells. It won't cure Aids, but it appears to relieve the symptoms of the disease.'

The University of Cape Town is also looking at the potato for the possible treatment of skin diseases