Rajshahi University researchers create prototype anti-cancer syrup from vegetables
Researchers at the Department of Pharmacy of Rajshahi University (RU) have created a prototype of an anti-cancer supplement syrup using extracts of easily available vegetables and food ingredients such as lemon, tomato, coriander leaves and spinach.
The prototype was created as part of research into the possible effectiveness of these food ingredients in preventing cancer.
According to the researchers, the initial phase of the study, titled “Priceless Edible Foods: An Alternative Source of Expensive Anticancer Drugs,” involved 68 vegetables, fruits and spices collected from local markets. Further research was carried out on spinach, lemon peel, coriander leaves and tomato based on experiments performed on cancer cell lines.
The researchers looked into the potential effectiveness of the extracts to inhibit the growth and spread of cancer cells and trigger apoptosis, or programmed cell death. At a later stage, the effectiveness of the combination of the extracts was also tested on mouse models.
Based on the findings, the researchers created a prototype of an anti-cancer supplement syrup by combining the extracts from the four ingredients.
The research team consists of RU Student Adviser Professor Dr AHM Khurshid Alam, Md Ariful Islam, Md Rahmat Ali and RU Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education) Professor Dr Mamunur Rashid.
The findings and results of the research were officially presented at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Novo Theatre in Dhaka on September 12. Information on national and international publications related to the research was also displayed in a poster at the event.
The researchers said the newly developed syrup is still a laboratory prototype and is not an approved commercial medicine for use in cancer treatment. The label on the syrup bottle clearly states “For Research Purpose Only” to highlight this.
Speaking about the research, Student Adviser Professor Dr AHM Khurshid Alam told Asia Post that the researchers took the initiative to identify potentially disease-preventive compounds in everyday food ingredients considering the side effects and high costs of modern medicines.
“During the initial phase, we collected 68 vegetables, fruits and spices from local markets and prepared extracts from them. We then conducted tests on cancer cell lines and selected spinach, lemon peel, coriander leaves and tomato for further research,” he said.
“We examined the possible effectiveness of these extracts to inhibit the growth and spread of cancer cells and induce apoptosis, or cell death. At the next stage, we also looked into the effectiveness of the combined extracts on mouse models,” he added.
He further said, “In addition to cancer, we are also conducting research on supplements for diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and Alzheimer’s disease.”
RU Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education) Professor Dr Mamunur Rashid, who is also involved in the research, told Asia Post that six innovations from four stalls of Rajshahi University are being showcased at the Bangladesh Innovation Fair.
“A committee has been formed in this regard, and I am serving as its convener. Information on research-based innovations with market potential was sought from different departments of the university through email. Several projects were selected after scrutiny and evaluation,” he said.
He said the innovations are showcasing the creative thinking of RU researchers and teachers as well as the potential for market-oriented research.
“Besides these, many other innovative research projects are also underway at the university,” he added.
The researchers said the initiative to scientifically investigate the potential medicinal properties of readily available local food ingredients can help assess the possibility of developing new medicinal or supportive components from food products in the future.