Plants promise multiple sclerosis treatment

Refined fatty acids from some plants and fungi may provide a treatment for multiple sclerosis, according to preliminary findings at Greenwich University. Researchers at the university and at St Thomas' Hospital, both in London, have discovered that extracts from some plants and fungi, which cannot be named at this stage of research, have prevented the onset of MS in experimental models. Laurence Harbige, leading the research at Greenwich, warned against premature excitement as clinical trials have just begun at St Thomas'. "Further rigorous clinical and laboratory research is essential before we can recommend any such treatment for MS," he said.