Porcupine bezoar
Porcupine bezoar, also known as porcupine date or “Batu Landak” by the local Malay community is a mass consisting of plant materials and fibres that forms within the digestive tract of Malayan porcupine (Hystrix Brachyura).
Porcupine bezoars have been an integral part of traditional medicine in various cultures across Asia for centuries. It has been used in traditional Chinese, Malay, and Indonesian medicine, where it was employed to treat a range of ailments, including cancer. Its use can be traced back to ancient texts, where it was regarded as a precious and powerful substance capable of restoring health and vitality.
Porcupine bezoar is scientifically proven to contain high concentrations of phytosterols, flavonoids, tannins, bromelain, mangiferin and other phytochemicals through lab tests.
A single serving of porcupine bezoar contains 14x more tannins than red wine, 11x more β-sitosterol than watermelon, 16x more stigmasterol than avocado, and 14x more bromelain than pineapple.
Tannins are a diverse group of naturally occurring polyphenolic compounds found in many plants. They are responsible for the astringent taste in foods and beverages and have long been recognized for their health-promoting properties. Tannins are renowned for their powerful antioxidant properties. Antioxidants help combat oxidative stress by neutralizing harmful free radicals in the body. Oxidative stress is closely linked to the development of cancer, making tannins an important player in cancer prevention.
β-sitosterol and stigmasterol are plant-derived phytosterol, they have been found to inhibit the growth and metastasis of tumours in multiple cancer types, including breast, prostate, and colon cancers. It interferes with cell proliferation and angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels that supply tumours, thereby curbing their growth.
Bromelain is a mixture of proteolytic enzymes found in the stem and fruit of pineapples. Traditionally, it has been used in folk medicine for its anti-inflammatory and digestive properties. Chronic inflammation is a known contributor to cancer development and progression. Bromelain has demonstrated potent anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting pro-inflammatory molecules and pathways. By reducing inflammation, bromelain helps create an environment less conducive to cancer growth.