One hidden chemical in this tropical fruit could fight liver cancer

Researchers have discovered that one specific plant molecule in a popular tropical fruitcould spearhead the battle against liver cancer. As a dietary staple, guava can provide a vast arrayof health advantages to the human body.

Its elevated levels of vitamin C and potassium could dramatically enhance digestion, heart health, and bolster other systems throughout the body. Research by William Chain, associate professor at the University of Delaware, pinpointed a molecule, known as psiguadial A, in guava that he maintains could help in combating cancer.

And scientists can reproduce this molecule, which could result in it being used in future treatments. Research published in the Angewandte Chemie medical journal from the University of Delaware outlined that this is achieved through a process called natural product total synthesis.

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Professor Chain said: "The majority of clinically approved medicines are either made from a natural product or are based on one. But there aren't enough natural resources to make enough treatments. Now chemists will be able to take our manuscripts and basically follow our 'recipe' and they can make it themselves."

Scientists could utilise the published research to produce vast quantities of the molecule with comparative ease and minimal cost. It could also pave the way for more affordable cancer treatments.

Liam O'Grady, a doctoral student in Chain's lab, said: "We entered into that unknown territory, I think we helped shed light on this unknown pathway that can get us there. And I think that's the cool part."

The research team said they are collaborating with the National Cancer Institute to examine the next phases of the process and to thoroughly investigate whether the guava molecule could prove effective in battling various forms of cancer.

According to Cancer Research UK, there were 6,579 new cases of liver cancer between 2017 and 2019 with 5,380 liver cancer deaths in that same period. Meanwhile, Liver Cancer UK states that there are 17 new diagnoses of liver cancer each day, alongside 17 deaths each day.

One of the primary challenges with treating liver cancer is that just three in 10 cases are detected in the early stage, when treatment proves most successful. However, because liver cancer is typically diagnosed in the later stages, it has one of the poorest survival rates amongst all cancer types.

Symptoms of liver cancer

NHS guidance highlights that liver cancer may not always have symptoms and can be hard for professionals to spot. However, it also notes that symptoms can include:

• The whites of your eyes turning yellow or your skin turning yellow, which may be less obvious on brown or black skin (jaundice) – you may also have itchy skin, darker pee and paler poo than usual
• A lump in the right side of your tummy
• Feeling generally unwell or having symptoms like flu
• Loss of appetite or losing weight without trying to
• Feeling tired or having no energy

Having any one of these symptoms can be due to a different condition and isn't always related to liver cancer. Therefore, if you're concerned about any symptoms you should have, you should speak with a GP as soon as possible.