SEOUL -- A South Korean research team has discovered that pharmaceutically processed mica (PMC), a mineral traditionally used in medicine, may help suppress the growth of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells by inducing apoptosis.

The study, led by Dr. Woo Hee Park, Chief Director, and her research team at Cheon In Ji Korean Medicine Clinic, was published in the SCI-indexed journal Advances in Traditional Medicine.

In their research, the team observed that PMC inhibited the activity of key cancer-related proteins, CNOT2 and c-Myc, while triggering apoptosis, a form of programmed cell death, in NSCLC cells.

Additionally, PMC was found to increase the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) within cancer cells, creating a hostile intracellular environment that made survival difficult for tumor cells.

Remarkably, when PMC was combined with the chemotherapy drug doxorubicin, its anticancer efficacy was significantly enhanced. The researchers noted that this combination therapy may serve as an effective strategy to improve treatment outcomes.

Dr. Woo Hee Park, Chief Director said, “I wanted to scientifically examine how traditional medicinal ingredients used in Korean medicine affect cancer cells,” adding, “This study shows that Korean traditional medicine has the potential to contribute to cancer treatment alongside modern science.”

The research provides molecular-level evidence supporting the therapeutic potential of traditional herbal compounds and suggests new possibilities for integrative cancer treatment. The research team plans to conduct follow-up studies based on the mechanisms identified.

Cheon In Ji Korean Medicine Clinic offers treatments for a range of intractable conditions, including cancer, diabetes, and immune-related disorders.