Anticancer Activity of β-lapachone: An Ingridient Of Pau D'Arco Herb

Image Source

"Pau d’arco is a herb, popular in South America, which is made by the inner bark of a tree named Tabebuia, and contain the active substances called naphthoquinones which are benzoic acid derivatives. It was found by in vitro studies in cancer cells that one naphthoquinone called β-lapachone possesses powerful anticancer properties via specific cytotoxic mechanisms of molecular biology and biochemical pathways. 

Pau d’arco in a well-known herb which is available in tea bags, in capsules and powder from health products stores. It is also known as lapacho, ipe roxo and taheebo. The herb is made by the inner bark of a large tree of various types named Tabebuia, with flowers of pink, purple and yellow colors which could be found in Brazil and Argentina. In South America pau d’arco has been used against cancer, syphilis, gonorrhea, malaria, flu, infections, inflammation and at least one type of lupus. It has been also used against bacteria, fungi and also as a diuretic and as an astringent. 

Image Source

It was discovered that various types of active substances are contained in pau d’arco which are called naphthoquinones, are benzoic acid derivatives and act synergistically in cancer therapy.

One recent study showed that treatment of breast cancer cells with the aqueous extract of taheebo from the inner bark of the Tabebuia avellandae tree..."

Learn More >>