Shilajit-derived zinc oxide nanoparticles can be an eco-friendly and safer alternative to chemotherapy to target cervical cancer cells. While, they also have minimal damage to healthy cells.
What is Cervical Cancer?
The 4th most common cancer globally, cervical cancer is precancerous cell growth in the cervical area — your uterus’ lower area that connects to the vagina. A long-haul infection caused by sexually transmitted human papillomavirus (HPV) is the reason behind cervical cell cancer. Cervical cancer is preventable and treatable in the early stages. However, in case of delayed treatment, it can spread to other organs and prove life-threatening.
According to the American Cancer Society, each year, 11,500 females are diagnosed with cervical cases. However, the rate is pretty low in Australia, with 3.1 deaths per 100,000, according to AIHW.
Symptoms like excessive or unusual vaginal bleeding, foul-smelling discharge or pelvic pain may hint at cervical cancer. If you experience these symptoms, rush for an early diagnosis.
What Traditional Methods are Used to Treat Cervical Cancer?
To treat cervical cancers, medical experts use different methods and their combinations depending on the cancer stage and harm done. Among these, the most common methods are surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy.
- Removal of affected parts of the uterus through invasive surgery is helpful at the early stage when cancer hasn’t spread to other parts. However, surgery can result in infertility and urinary dysfunction.
- Radiotherapy, on the other hand, kills cancer cells using high-energy rays. This method is effective in treating cervical cancer, but sexual dysfunction or relapse may also follow it.
- The most advanced method of chemotherapy proves helpful to target cancer cells using strong drugs. However, the side effects are serious. You may have reduced immunity, nausea, and fatigue—furthermore, cancer resistance and poor prognosis in case of advanced stage.
Because of traditional cancer treatments’ side effects and limitations, experts are exploring the potential of traditional remedies. These herbs and medicines, like shilajit, berberine, and griffonia have been already in use for thousands of years as traditional remedies.
Among these, shilajit, a mineral-rich resin formed by the decomposition of plants’ remains and humus, stands out as a traditional remedy used in Asia. This black-brownish substance oozes in mountain ranges, especially the Himalayan mountains. The substance has shown “antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immune-boosting potential benefits.” This is the reason scientists are discovering its potential benefits against cancer.
Study
According to a 2024 study published on Nature.com, Indian researchers discovered the anticancer properties of Shilajit. They used green nanotechnology as an eco-friendly method to synthesize zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles from shilajit.
Then, the experts observed the quality of these zinc oxide nanoparticles to determine their anticancer effectiveness. For example, ZnO nanoparticles with a more crystalline shape, smaller size, and pure nature are the most toxic to cancer cells.
According to their lab research, ZnO nano-particles obtained from shilajit are of incredible quality. So, they have significant anticancer activity against cervical cells.
While killing cancer cells, these ZnO nanoparticles adopt different mechanisms.
- First, they generate reactive oxygen species (ROS), which damage cellular components.
- Second, ZnO NPs can prevent cell growth and multiplication by causing cell cycle arrest.
- Third, these particles trigger a programmed cell death process called apoptosis in cancer cells.
- To level up cancer cells’ death, these ZnO NPs also induce inflammation in cancer cells.
Thus, zinc oxide nanoparticles play a revolutionary role against cancer tumor cells through various mechanisms. More optimally, unlike chemotherapy, these nanoparticles don’t harm healthy body cells.
Conclusion
Shilajit-derived zinc oxide nanoparticles, developed using green nanotechnology, show great promise as a safer, eco-friendly approach. However, further animal studies and clinical trials can help the meds to use ZnO nanoparticles from shilajit as a mainstream or complementary treatment against cervical cancer. Similarly, more research can confirm shilajit’s effect against other cancers like lung cancer.