Wednesday, October 12, 2016

Neem plant shows hope for prostate cancer patients


Oral administration of a compound derived from neem -- a medicinal plant native to the Indian sub-continent -- can significantly reduce the size of prostate tumour by up to 70 per cent as well as suppress its spread by half, a study led by an Indian-origin scientist has found.


Prostate cancer -- the most commonly diagnosed cancers worldwide -- occurs in a man's prostate -- a small walnut-shaped gland that produces seminal fluid. Current therapies available for metastatic prostate cancer are only marginally effective.


The study revealed that nimbolide -- a bioactive terpenoid compound derived from neem plant -- can significantly suppress cell invasion and migration of prostate cancer cells, suggesting its ability to reduce tumour metastasis or spread.


"The study demonstrated that nimbolide can inhibit tumour cell viability -- a cellular process that directly affects the ability of a cell to proliferate, grow, divide, or repair damaged cell components -- and induce programmed cell death in prostate cancer cells," said Gautam Sethi, Associate Professor at the National University of Singapore (NUS).


The findings showed that oral administration of nimbolide for 12 weeks can reduce the size of prostate cancer tumour by as much as 70 per cent and decreased its spread by about 50 per cent, without exhibiting any adverse effects.


Nimbolide directly targets glutathione reductase -- an enzyme which is responsible for maintaining the antioxidant system that regulates the STAT3 gene in the body.


This activation of the STAT3 gene has been report

"We have found that nimbolide can substantially inhibit STAT3 activation and thereby abrogating the growth and metastasis of prostate tumour," Sethi added.


The results of the study were published in the journal Antioxidants & Redox Signaling. Disclaimer : The views and opinions expressed by the Doctors are their independent professional judgment and we do not take any responsibility for the accuracy of their views. This should not be considered as a substitute for Physician's advice. Please consult your treating Physician for more details.

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