Lab study finds new plant compounds from rosemary leaves
Original title: Novel Diterpenoids From Salvia rosmarinus Reveal a Compound With Antiproliferative and Antioxidant Activities.
How far along is this research?
- Lab cells
- Animals
- Review
- Tested in people
This was done on cells in a lab, not in people. It is a very early step.
This was only tested on cells in a dish.
The short version
Scientists found new natural compounds in rosemary leaves and tested them on cancer cells in a dish.
What was studied. Researchers took compounds from rosemary leaves. They found four new ones and nine that were already known. They tested some of them on cancer cells and normal cells in the lab.
What they found. Some compounds slowed the growth of cancer cells in the dish. One known compound worked against a brain tumor cell line called U251. It also worked against leukemia and prostate cancer cells. One new compound also showed antioxidant activity. Antioxidants help protect cells from a kind of damage.
What this means, and what it doesn't
What it could mean: These rosemary compounds may be worth more study. Scientists could use this work to look for new medicines in the future.
What it doesn't mean: This does not mean rosemary treats brain tumors. The tests were only on cells in a dish, not in animals or people. It is very far from everyday care. It is not a cure, and eating rosemary is not a treatment.
Source: PubMed, September 1, 2026 · Read the original
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