Scientists in China have found a powerful cancer fighter in a Chinese herb called Valeriana jatamansi. On July 7, 2025, they published exciting news about its natural compound named Acevaltrate (ACE). This discovery could help fight bowel cancer, a serious disease affecting many people worldwide.
ACE works like a smart key that attacks cancer cells in two ways at once. First, it raises iron levels inside cancer cells. Second, it breaks down GPX4, a protective protein that shields cancer cells from harm. These actions cause cancer cells to die through a process called ferroptosis (铁死亡) —a special cell death linked to iron and harmful fat materials.
Lab tests showed amazing results. ACE worked faster and stronger than common cancer drugs like capecitabine. When tested on tiny human-like tumors grown in labs (called organoids), ACE performed even better than in simple cell experiments. Mice with bowel cancer also got better after ACE treatment, showing smaller tumors.
Professor Liu Sanhong, the lead scientist, explained why ACE is special: “Most medicines attack cancer in just one way. But ACE hits two targets together. It’s like using two keys to unlock a door—this makes it harder for cancer to escape.” As a natural plant compound, ACE safely targets cancer cells without harming healthy ones.
This discovery brings new hope for cancer patients. Researchers will now test ACE in human patients. If successful, this plant-based medicine could become a powerful new weapon against cancer.
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