TRIALS on a possible cure for cancer from mint leaves are being carried out by scientists at Salford University.

Researchers have been given a major grant to investigate a Chinese variety of mint, which has the ability to kill cancer cells by cutting off their blood supply.

Last June the M.E.N. revealed how experts at the university's Kidscan Children's Cancer Research Centre, based at Hope Hospital, had made a huge breakthrough.

Now they have been awarded £50,000 to start trials on the mint leaf extract.

The trials, funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, will refine the drug and test it on cancer cells.

The pre-clinical trials are expected to last a year before the team starts an extended £250,000 trial on cancer patients.

The herb scutellaria barbata was first identified by Chinese doctors hundreds of years ago, but it's the first time a pure form of the herb has been extracted and developed into a cancer-fighting drug.


The drug targets the blood vessels supplying oxygen and nutrients to cancer cells, but it does not affect healthy cells, unlike conventional chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment.

Dr Sylvie Ducki, who originally extracted the pure form of the herb as part of her PhD project, said: "The funding is crucial because it will enable us to study how the drug is metabolised. If successful, the project may result in a new class of cancer-fighting drugs - amongst the safest and most effective ever."

Project leader Professor Alan McGown now hopes to get the drug on the market within five years.

The former head of drug development at Cancer Research UK and the Paterson Institute at the Christie Hospital, claims the mint extract is the most promising yet.

He said: "Further funding is now crucial if we are to make this concept a reality."

Prof McGown is trying to raise enough money to carry out clinical trials.

Kidscan, the children's cancer charity which supports his work, is launching a `Make a Mint' appeal to raise the £250,000 he needs. If anyone would like to donate, contact Kidscan on 0161 295 3864.