An extract found in the leaves of a mint-like Chinese herb could be used to fight cancer, researchers say. A drug based on the extract of Scutellaria barbata works by destroying the blood vessels supplying tumours. It should have fewer side effects than conventional treatments which attack healthy cells as well as cancerous cells, say the researchers. Professor Alan McGown and colleagues at the University of Salford hope to test the drug in cancer patients soon. The drug has so far been tested in the laboratory on human cancer cells from tumours such as breast and lung cancers.
