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Oleander is an ornamental bush from the periwinkle family grown in mild climates, or as an indoor plant. It is highly poisonous, and children and pets must be taught to avoid it. It takes a small amount of the plant to kill a human, and oleander has been used in suicide. It causes respiratory paralysis in the late stages of poisoning, and has pronounced cardiac effects, similar to digitalis.
Oleander is an ancient plant that has been used in herbal medicine for a long time, though at present most herbals do not list it because of its toxicity. There is some documentation of its use in cancer around the world. Moss says that a few reports note anticancer (including antileukemic) activity in the plant extract containing cardiac glycosides. Some German studies studied polysaccharide extracts from the leaves but did not get good results in animal studies.
A Turkish doctor, H.Z. Ozel, inspired by the folk use of oleander for cancer, began to use a water extract from Nerium oleander in his practice some 25 years ago. Interestingly, a water extract seems non-toxic because the toxic glycosides are not water soluble. The extract is called Anvirzel, is patented and trademarked (both in the U.S. and in Europe), and a couple of papers were published on its use in cancer by Dr Ozel in Turkish in the 70s.
Dr Ozel originally made the extract himself at home, and patients typically experienced fevers. He did not continue treatment if the fever did not occur. However, it was later realized that the fevers were caused by bacterial contamination, and no longer accompany the treatment.
The materials of the company (see below) that is promoting Anvirzel. say that Dr Ozel treated 494 cancer patients with the extract, resulting in a high rate of success. The company has organized phase I and II trials in Ireland, and states that the trials confirmed the efficacy of the extract in cancer. They say the patients were improved in their quality of life as well as regression of cancer, while reporting no notable side effects. 46 patients were treated in these trials, and all but two were still alive at the time of writing. Best results were said to be in prostate, lung and brain cancers. Sarcomas showed stabilization. Moss reports that an unpublicized pilot study of the compound was being planned at a major U.S. cancer center.
Anvirzel is injected into the muscle once daily, at home, at 0.5 cc. Later the dosage and frequency may be adjusted. The company has provided the substance to patients in the trials free of charge, and it has also been available via an IND (compassionate use), provided the patients agree to modify their lifestyle to some extent, forego chemotherapy and radiation treatments for the duration of the treatment, keep detailed records of their progress, and be willing to be periodically medically retested.
Anvirzel is thought by these promoters to be also a treatment for viral and autoimmune diseases. The company is seeking FDA approval via the three-phase trials. Toxicology and animal studies are already done, and trials have been scheduled.
Feb 2007: I just heard from a patient that Anvirzel can be obtained from a clinic in Honduras, by mail if needed. Here is the link. www.saludintegral.hn
Researched and written by Vera Bradova © 1999-2007
Updated 2-2-2007
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