A molecule found in a tropical mushroom could turn a potentially toxic element into a weapon against breast cancer, according to researchers at Polytechnic University.
The scientists discovered that a naturally occurring polysaccharide, or complex carbohydrate, in the Tiger Milk mushroom (Lignosus rhinocerus), stabilises selenium, limiting its harmful effects and turning it into a potential cancer remedy.
Selenium, a trace element essential to human health, can be toxic if consumed in excessive amounts, and scientists have long struggled to control its unstable nanoparticles to bring out its healing properties.
'Selenium can kill both good and bad cells, so it was highly risky to use as a treatment before,' Dr Wong Ka-hing, associate director of the university's Food Safety and Technology Research Centre, said.
'But the extracts from the Tiger Milk mushroom were found to have a stabilising force on the selenium nanoparticles. Our tests produced highly stable selenium nanoparticles that will kill only the cancer cells, without harming the good cells.'
The modified nanoparticles were found to have their best performance in destroying breast cancer cells, but the team will also investigate their effect on other tumours.