Can a plant’s “waste” parts potentially fight cancer?
In a groundbreaking discovery, scientists from Tennessee State University have revealed that sweet potato leaves and stems—parts we rarely see in grocery stores—might be powerful weapons against cancer.
Extracts from two varieties—All-Purple and Carolina Ruby—tested on human breast and lung cancer cells uncovered incredible results. The All-Purple leaf extracts demolished breast cancer cell growth by 76% at minimal concentrations. Meanwhile, Carolina Ruby extracts showed even more impressive results against lung cancer cells, stopping their growth by a whopping 96%. Perhaps most exciting? These natural extracts sometimes outperformed tamoxifen, a common breast cancer drug.
While these cancer-fighting parts are commonly used in some Asian and African cuisines, Western agriculture typically discards them. Perhaps it’s time to reconsider the untapped potential of plants we thought we knew everything about.
https://bmccomplementmedtherapies.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12906-025-04770-9