Nanoparticles derived from tea leaves can inhibit the growth of lung cancer cells, destroying up to 80% of them, a team of Indian and British scientists has found.
The study, published in the journal Applied Nano Materials , outlines a new method of producing a type of nanoparticle called quantum dots. “...Tea leaf extract can be a non-toxic alternative to making quantum dots using chemicals,” said Sudhagar Pitchaimuthu from Swansea University, who led the study.
“The real surprise, however, was that the dots actively inhibited the growth of the lung cancer cells. We had not been expecting this,” Mr. Pitchaimuthu said.
