Avocado Seeds and Brain Cancer: New Research Finds Remarkable Results in the Lab

Avocados have long been celebrated for their nutritional benefits, but scientists continue to discover interesting properties in parts of the avocado that are usually thrown away—including the seed.

A newly published 2026 study in the Indonesian Journal of Science and Pharmacy examined the effect of an aqueous fraction of avocado seed extract on T98G glioblastoma cells, a laboratory cell line used to study one of the most aggressive forms of brain cancer.

And the laboratory results were striking.

Up to 98.79% inhibition after 72 hours

Researchers treated glioblastoma cells with three concentrations of avocado seed extract—0.63, 1.25 and 2.50 mg/mL—and measured the effects after 24, 48 and 72 hours.

The inhibition of the cancer cells increased dramatically with time:

About 79% inhibition after 24 hours → 96% after 48 hours → 98–99% after 72 hours.

The strongest result was seen with 1.25 mg/mL after 72 hours, which produced 98.79% inhibition of T98G glioblastoma cell viability. Interestingly, doubling the concentration to 2.50 mg/mL did not improve the result.

What makes avocado seeds interesting?

Avocado seeds contain naturally occurring bioactive compounds, including flavonoids, saponins, tannins and alkaloids.

Previous research cited by the authors suggests these compounds may have antioxidant and potential anticancer properties. Flavonoids are particularly interesting because their behavior can differ between healthy and cancerous cells. The researchers discuss the possibility that certain compounds may increase oxidative stress inside cancer cells, potentially disrupting mitochondrial function and pathways involved in cell survival.

However, this study did not determine which compounds caused the observed effect or exactly how the cells were being damaged.

What the study does—and doesn't—tell us

This is where the distinction is important.

The researchers tested an extracted and fractionated preparation of avocado seed directly on cancer cells in a laboratory. There have not been human trials started yet.

The researchers therefore describe avocado seed extract as a "potential natural-based antiproliferative candidate" that warrants considerably more investigation.

Another reason not to throw away the avocado seed just yet

For something routinely discarded as agricultural waste, the avocado seed continues to be an intriguing area of scientific research.

A laboratory finding of 98.79% inhibition of T98G glioblastoma cell viability certainly deserves attention. The next question is whether researchers can reproduce the findings, identify the compounds responsible, establish safety and selectivity in normal cells, and eventually determine whether any of this activity translates beyond a laboratory dish.

For now, the science is early—but fascinating.

Read Entire Study HERE

Source: Liana Y., Aswad H., Wahdaniar, Irma A. The Effect of the Aqueous Fraction of Avocado Seed (Persea americana Mill.) Extract on the Viability of T98G Glioblastoma Cells In Vitro. Indonesian Journal of Science and Pharmacy, 2026. The article was accepted August 23 and published online August 30, 2026.