According to Gram Research analysis, a 2026 review of 64 medicinal plants from Sabah, Malaysia identified four species with promising cancer-fighting activity in laboratory and animal studies: Helminthostachys zeylanica, Pycnarrhena tumefacta, Myrmecodia platytyrea, and Mangifera pajang. However, these findings are early-stage research, and human clinical trials are needed before these plants can be recommended as cancer treatments or preventatives.
Researchers reviewed 64 medicinal plants used as food in Sabah, Malaysia, looking for natural compounds that might help prevent or treat cancer. They found that certain ethnic groups in this region have lower cancer rates, suggesting their traditional plants might contain powerful cancer-fighting substances. Four plants showed particularly promising results in laboratory and animal studies: Helminthostachys zeylanica, Pycnarrhena tumefacta, Myrmecodia platytyrea, and Mangifera pajang. While these findings are exciting, scientists emphasize that much more research is needed before these plants can be used as cancer treatments in humans.
Key Statistics
A 2026 review published in Pharmaceutical Biology examined 64 medicinal plants from Sabah, Malaysia, identifying four species with demonstrated cancer-fighting activity in laboratory and animal studies.
Researchers found that Helminthostachys zeylanica, Pycnarrhena tumefacta, Myrmecodia platytyrea, and Mangifera pajang showed both in vitro and in vivo anticancer activities, warranting further clinical investigation.
The review identified numerous additional plants containing cytotoxic natural products, suggesting Sabah’s medicinal flora represents a significant untapped source for potential anticancer drug development.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: Whether medicinal plants traditionally eaten in Sabah, Malaysia contain natural compounds that could fight cancer or help prevent it.
- Who participated: This was a review study, not a human trial. Researchers analyzed scientific literature about 64 different plants used as medicine and food in Sabah.
- Key finding: Four plant species showed promising cancer-fighting activity in laboratory and animal studies, suggesting they deserve further investigation for potential cancer treatments.
- What it means for you: These findings are early-stage research. While the plants show potential, they cannot yet be used as cancer treatments. Always consult your doctor before using any plant-based remedies, especially if you have cancer or are at risk.
The Research Details
Scientists conducted a focused narrative review, which means they searched scientific databases (Google Scholar, PubMed, ScienceDirect, and others) for published research about 64 medicinal plants from Sabah. For each plant, they looked for studies mentioning cancer-related effects like cytotoxicity (ability to kill cancer cells) or tumor activity. They only included peer-reviewed scientific articles and excluded unreliable sources.
The researchers chose to study Sabah’s plants because certain ethnic groups there have unusually low cancer rates compared to other regions. This observation suggested that traditional plants used by these communities might contain natural cancer-fighting compounds. By systematically reviewing existing research, the team identified which plants showed the most promise for further study.
This approach is valuable because it bridges traditional medicine with modern science. Rather than randomly testing thousands of plants, researchers can focus on plants that cultures have used successfully for generations. This saves time and resources while respecting indigenous knowledge. The review also helps identify which plants need more rigorous human testing before they could become actual medicines.
This is a review article, not original research with human participants, so it summarizes existing studies rather than conducting new experiments. The strength of the findings depends on the quality of the original studies reviewed. The authors were selective, excluding non-peer-reviewed sources, which improves reliability. However, readers should know that many of the original studies were conducted in laboratories or animals, not humans, so results may not directly apply to people.
What the Results Show
The review identified four plant species with the most compelling evidence for cancer-fighting potential: Helminthostachys zeylanica, Pycnarrhena tumefacta, Myrmecodia platytyrea, and Mangifera pajang. These plants demonstrated activity against cancer cells both in laboratory dishes (in vitro) and in animal studies (in vivo), meaning they showed effects in controlled settings.
Beyond these four standouts, the researchers found that many other plants from Sabah contain cytotoxic natural products—meaning they can kill or damage cells. This suggests a rich source of potential cancer-fighting compounds waiting to be studied more thoroughly.
The review emphasizes that while these results are encouraging, they represent early-stage findings. Laboratory and animal studies show promise, but human clinical trials are necessary before any of these plants could be recommended as cancer treatments or preventatives.
The research highlights an important pattern: regions where traditional medicine is actively used and cancer rates are lower may be valuable sources for discovering new medicines. The study also notes that the pharmaceutical industry increasingly looks to traditional pharmacopeias (historical records of medicinal plants) as a source of novel drug candidates, especially for serious diseases like cancer.
This review fits within a growing body of research exploring natural products from traditional medicine systems for modern medical applications. Similar studies have examined medicinal plants from other regions with low cancer incidence. The approach of studying ethnobotany (how cultures use plants) to discover new drugs has successfully led to approved medications in the past, lending credibility to this research strategy.
As a review article, this study cannot prove that these plants work in humans—it only summarizes what other studies have found. Most evidence comes from laboratory and animal research, which doesn’t always translate to human benefits. The review doesn’t provide detailed information about which specific compounds in these plants are responsible for cancer-fighting effects. Additionally, without human clinical trials, we cannot determine safe doses, potential side effects, or how these plants might interact with other medications. The study also notes that further research is critically needed before any clinical applications.
The Bottom Line
Based on current evidence, these Sabah plants should not be used as cancer treatments outside of controlled research settings. However, they represent promising candidates for further scientific investigation. If you’re interested in plant-based health approaches, discuss any supplements or medicinal plants with your healthcare provider, especially if you have cancer, are undergoing cancer treatment, or have cancer risk factors. Confidence level: Low for direct clinical use; Moderate for research potential.
Cancer researchers and pharmaceutical companies should care about these findings as potential sources for new drug development. People interested in traditional medicine and ethnobotany will find this review valuable. However, cancer patients or those at high risk should not attempt to self-treat with these plants based on this review alone. Healthcare providers may find this useful for understanding patient interest in plant-based approaches.
If these plants move forward in research, it typically takes 10-15 years of additional studies before a natural product could become an approved medication. Laboratory findings to human clinical trials is a lengthy process requiring safety testing, dosage optimization, and efficacy confirmation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use these Malaysian plants to treat or prevent cancer?
Not yet. While four plants showed promise in laboratory and animal studies, human clinical trials are required before they can be used as cancer treatments. Always consult your doctor before using any plant-based remedies, especially for cancer prevention or treatment.
Why do researchers study traditional plants for cancer cures?
Certain ethnic groups in Sabah have lower cancer rates, suggesting their traditional medicinal plants may contain natural cancer-fighting compounds. This approach efficiently identifies promising candidates for drug development based on generations of traditional use.
Which plant showed the strongest cancer-fighting results?
The review identified four plants with the most compelling evidence: Helminthostachys zeylanica, Pycnarrhena tumefacta, Myrmecodia platytyrea, and Mangifera pajang. However, all four require further research before human use.
How long until these plants become actual cancer medicines?
If research continues successfully, it typically takes 10-15 years of additional studies before a natural product could become an approved medication. This includes safety testing, dosage optimization, and human clinical trials.
Are there side effects or risks from these plants?
The review doesn’t provide detailed safety information since most studies were conducted in laboratories and animals. Potential side effects, safe doses, and drug interactions remain unknown and require human clinical trials to determine.
Want to Apply This Research?
- Track any medicinal plants or supplements you consume, including plant name, amount, frequency, and any health changes you notice. This creates a personal record useful for discussing with your healthcare provider.
- If interested in plant-based wellness, use the app to research and log traditional foods from your cultural background, noting their traditional uses. Share this information with your doctor to ensure they’re aware of everything you’re consuming.
- Set monthly reminders to review your plant-based supplement intake with your healthcare provider. Document any changes in energy, digestion, or other health markers alongside your plant consumption to identify patterns.
This review summarizes early-stage research on medicinal plants and their potential anticancer properties. The findings are based primarily on laboratory and animal studies, not human clinical trials. These plants should not be used as cancer treatments or preventatives outside of controlled research settings. If you have cancer, are at risk for cancer, or are undergoing cancer treatment, consult your healthcare provider before using any plant-based supplements or medicinal plants. Do not delay or replace conventional cancer treatment with unproven plant-based remedies. Always inform your doctor about any supplements or traditional medicines you are considering or consuming.
This research translation is published by Gram Research, the science division of Gram, an AI-powered nutrition tracking app.