Feverfew Phytochemical Kills Leukemia Cells

NEW YORK--Parthenolide, a phytochemical found in feverfew, kills acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells while leaving normal bone marrow mostly unscathed, according to a study published early online by the journal Blood (www.bloodjournal.org). Scientists noted the compound also destroys the stem cells that lead to AML.

Researchers from the University of Rochester School of Medicine studied parthenolide, a sesquiterpene lactone component of the plant feverfew, for its ability to induce apoptosis of not only human AML cells but chronic myelogenous leukemia cells (CML) as well. Further, analysis of progenitor cells using in vitro colony assays, as well as stem cells, showed pathenolide targeted AML progenitor and stem cell populations, without harming normal hematopoietic cells. Scientists concluded the feverfew phytochemical works more discriminately than does chemotherapy drug Ara-C.