A rare plant species found in some parts of the Himalayas may become a key medicine for treating cancer. Researchers from India and other countries found the roots of the herb Angelica, to contain chemicals that can aid in cancer treatments.
Recent research at the Cancer Biology Laboratory at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) along with Sahmyook University in Seoul and University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver found a compound from Angelica (Angelica archangelica) root to be a potential cancer drug.
‘Decursin’ the compound that was extracted from Korean Angelica has become an important clue for cancer researchers after they conducted a number of studies to check its efficacy.
“We found that Decursin is very useful in checking aberrant cell cycle progression, a feature of cancer development. In another study, we found that it could also be used to cause death of cancer cells. The latest study with Decursin found that it also inhibits tumour angiogenesis or tumour growth,” said Associate professor, Cancer Biology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, JNU.
In the past researchers had conducted studies in the lab to see the potential use of Decursin, but scientists of JNU took a step forward and tested the chemical on mice with cancer growth.
“I got interested in Decursin since 2004-05 reading literature. There are a lot of references to it in ancient literature, even in Ayurveda. Later, I collaborated with our Korean counterparts. The Korean team isolated the compound and sent it to us in JNU for research,” added Rana. He has seven other students in his team at JNU.
Though the tests were done on the Korean species of Angelica, the researcher says that the useful chemical is also found in the Indian species and thus makes it medicinally very important.
In India Angelica varieites are found in select areas of the Himalayas. mainly in Kashmir at an altitude of 1000-3900 m, Garhwal and Kumaon regions at altitudes of 2600 m–3900 m. The species is endangered.
The Foundation for Revitalization of Local Health Traditions (FRLHT) based in Bangalore that maintains ENVIS centre on Medicinal plants has documented Angelica herb in India.
“Angelica in India is critically endangered. It is found in North Western Himalayas but is highly traded due to its medicinal value. It is also found in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Angelica is used in Tibetan and Ayurvedic medicine. It is often used to treat constipation and dyspepsia,” said senior researcher, FRLHT, Ganesh Babu.
Though the cancer treating abilities of the herb have been found recently, the plant has for a long time being used as a traditional medicine for treating ailments such as cough, cold, rheumatism etc.
More Related Stories,
Rao Jodha Desert Park – New Green in the Desert
Over Harvesting Killing Life saving plants
Oxford Researchers to Map Religious Forests
3 thoughts on “Scientists Find Cancer Treating Properties of Rare Plant”