Indian Plant (Neem) Could Play Key Role in Death of Cancer Cells

ScienceDaily:

Feb. 14, 2013 — Scientists at the Georgia Regents University Cancer Center have identified an Indian plant, used for centuries to treat inflammation, fever and malaria, that could help kill cancer cells.

Cancer cells typically avoid death by hijacking molecular chaperones that guide and protect the proteins that ensure normal cellular function and then tricking them into helping mutated versions of those proteins stay alive, says Dr. Ahmed Chadli, a researcher in the Molecular Chaperone Program at the GRU Cancer Center and senior author of the study named the Journal of Biological Chemistry‘s Paper of the Week.

Gedunin has been isolated from the Indian neem tree (Credit: J. Med. Chem.)

Posted by Falak Rahman on February 15, 2013. Filed under Alternate Medicine,Asia,Research,Science. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry

7 Responses to Indian Plant (Neem) Could Play Key Role in Death of Cancer Cells

Amtul Q Farhat

February 16, 2013 at 5:32 am

Earlier studies have been done in India:

Is neem the ultimate panacea? New research suggests neem compounds may have cancer curing properties

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/neem-leaf-glycoprotein-or-nlgp-can-restrict-growth-of-cancerous-tumours/1/247075.html
Raziya Mohamedali

February 16, 2013 at 9:48 pm

The Swahili name for the tree is ‘Muarbaini’ which means ’40′, i.e. it’s a panacea for 40 illnesses.

The whole tree including it’s bark and branches have various uses…
Najma A.

February 17, 2013 at 6:44 am

I remember that a lot of research on the neem tree was being carried out at the PCSIR labs in Karachi during the 70s & the 80s. Some research papers were published but like everything else in Pakistan, the labs & other science institutions were let to rot due to underfunding, nepotism and red tape. Pakistan has great human & natural resources, if only they were put to proper use, it would be one of highly successful states.
Rafiq A. Tschannen

February 17, 2013 at 8:12 am

I just noticed that my wife is using ‘NEEM toothpaste’, which she bought in an ‘African Store’ in the USA.
Raziya Mohamedali

February 17, 2013 at 9:06 pm

Actually, neem is also good for the skin, i.e. there are soaps available from the Indian subcontinent, Africa, etc. Anywhere, where it grows.

It is excellent for boils and more effective than antibiotics with no side-effects. You just bathe the boil or soak if possible with water in which neem has been boiled.

Blood is also purified by drinking this concoction though it’s very bitter.

The list can go on and on ad infinitum…
mushtaq shaikh

February 18, 2013 at 1:47 am

What a good sign that our ladies are so aware of all what is happening/publishing aroun us. Well done girls..!!
Raziya Mohamedali

February 18, 2013 at 2:44 am

Thank you, Mushtaq sb.