Ginger kills ovarian cancer cells

A study shows that ginger could be a promising treatment for ovarian cancer. It is already known that ginger is useful for easing nausea and controlling inflammation. Researchers at the University of Michigan show it has some potential as an anti-cancer drug. They dissolved ginger powder and exposed ovarian cancer cell cultures to it.

Analysis showed the ginger killed the cancer cells in two different ways. First, it caused them to digest themselves, and second, it made them commit suicide. These findings are significant because it suggests that ovarian cancer cells may not become resistant to treatment with ginger the way they do to treatment with other drugs. The researchers now hope to progress to studies in animals. They are also looking at the effects of resveratrol, a substance found in red wine, and curcumin, an ingredient of turmeric, on ovarian cancer cells, as well as the use of ginger in controlling chemotherapy-induced nausea and colon cancer.