Rajiv Gandhi Proudyogiki Vishwavidyalaya (RGPV) – a state-run university in Bhopal has claimed a breakthrough in the treatment of cancer after discovering molecules from turmeric which it said, will “revolutionise” the fight against the much-dreaded disease.
Vice Chancellor Professor Piyush Trivedi and his doctoral student Dr C Karthikeyan also announced that the university has applied for a US patent of the discovery of the new anti-cancer molecules code named CTR-17 and CTR-20.
The molecules elicit anti-cancer activity through a mechanism which involves obstruction of cancer cell division by inhibiting a protein called tubulin which is important for many cellular functions, including chromosome segregation during cell division, intracellular transport, development and maintenance of cell shape, cell motility and distribution of cell membranes.Dr C Karthikeyan, Doctoral Student, RGPV
Trivedi said that the research that was conducted over 10 years, was inspired by the healing properties of turmeric which is considered to be an effective antiseptic and is available in every household.
It is novel and unique in the sense that unlike other cancer drugs, that have major side-effects especially when one undergoes chemotherapy, this molecule targets and destroys only cancerous cells and causes no damage to other vital cells of the body.Piyush Trivedi, Vice Chancellor, RGPV
“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,” Trivedi, who is a pharmacist by profession, said.
(With inputs from PTI)
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