After 10 Years Of Research On Turmeric, Indian Scientists Discover Two New Anti-Cancer Molecules!

The researchers were inspired by the healing properties of turmeric (haldi) and studied it for 10 years.

Researchers from the Rajiv Gandhi Proudyogiki Vishwavidyalaya (RGPV), Bhopal said they were inspired by turmeric, because it is a time-tested remedy. “Inspired by the healing properties of turmeric, which is available in every household and is considered to be an effective antiseptic that can be given to almost everyone to treat various ailments, we have studied it deeply for almost 10 long years and discovered two new molecules,” said Vice Chancellor of RGPV, Professor Piyush Trivedi.

Their research helped them discover two new anti-carcinogenic molecules, code named CTR-17 and CTR-20.

“The molecules elicit anticancer activity through a mechanism that involves obstruction of cancer cell division by inhibiting tubulin, a protein which is important for many important cellular functions, including chromosome segregation during cell division, intracellular transport, development and maintenance of cell shape, cell motility and distribution of molecules on cell membranes,” said doctoral student Dr. C. Karthikeyan.

Unlike other cancer treatments, these molecules only target cancer cells and do not harm healthy cells. 

“They are novel and unique in the sense that they are unlike other cancer drugs, which have major side-effects, especially when one undergoes chemotherapy. These molecules target and destroy only cancerous cells and cause no damage to other vital cells of the body,” adds Professor Trivedi.

The research was carried out in collaboration with Canada-based Advanced Medical Research Institute’s Dr. Hyoun Lee’s team and a US provisional patent application has been officially filed to protect intellectual property rights.