Disclaimer: The findings discussed are lab based and further studies need to be done.

Can maple trees be used as a possible treatment for cancer prevention? There is a growing interest in the use of medicinal plants to treat and prevent cancer. What makes medicinal plants appealing to scientists and cancer patients is that these treatments have fewer side effects than other treatments. 

Research done at the College of Pharmacy, University of Rhode Island, studies the components of different parts of maple trees. During the research, it was found that extracts from maple trees, especially from leaves and stems, have the ability to slow down the reproduction of colon cancer cells.

It has also been reported that more studies should be done on maple species because they show potential active antitumor compounds. Why cure cancer when we can prevent it?

Reference: González-Sarrías, A.; Li, L.; Seeram, N.P. Effects of maple (Acer) plant part extracts on proliferation, apoptosis, and cell cycle arrest of human tumorigenic and non-tumorigenic colon cells. Phytotherapy Research, 2012, 26, 995-1002. https://web.uri.edu/maple/effects-of-maple-acer-plant-part-extracts-on-proliferation-apoptosis-and-cell-cycle-arrest-of-human-tumorigenic-and-non-tumorigenic-colon-cells/