Thota Kanishka Rao, Amity University Kolkata
Cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide and is responsible for causing nearly 10 million deaths per annum. The significant reason cancer being so lethal is due to the absence of anti-cancer treatments. Though, very recently researchers have discovered a new plant species having the potential to aid in fighting cancer.
The species named Ophiorrhiza recurvipetala has been discovered in the central district of Assam and classified under the Rubiaceae family of flowering plants, to which the plant yielding coffee belongs. All the members of this group consist of a secondary metabolite known as Camptothecin utilized in colon cancer.
Ophiorrhiza is a primarily herbaceous class found from eastern India toward the West Pacific from South China to northern Australia. As per the World Checklist of Selected Plant Families, 2017, it is a remarkably species-rich and systematically convoluted sort with around 318 species around the world.
In India, 47 species and 9 varieties have been found. The Ophiorrhiza recurvipetala is an enduring spice with a height of 60 cm and is branched. It yields a creamy white flower.
Researchers have reported that these species are restricted to growing in moist and shady places only. It would require more scientific study and experimentation to see if the Camptothecin content occurring in this novel species would be useful to treat cancer or not.
Also read:DAIKENCHUTO: A JAPANESE HERBAL MEDICATION METHOD
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