Indonesian Scientist Identifies Potential Anti-Cervical Cancer Compound in Mulberry
Bandar Lampung, Indonesianpost.com – Reported by Antara, A researcher from the Sumatera Institute of Technology in Lampung has discovered a compound in the mulberry plant with promising potential for treating cervical cancer, according to a statement released on Tuesday.
Dr. Rahmat Kurniawan, a lecturer in the Chemistry Study Program and member of the Biological Chemistry Research Group at the university’s Faculty of Science, revealed that he identified the compound Kuwanon J in the mulberry plant (Morus shalun), which shows significant promise as an anti-cervical cancer agent.
“Kuwanon J is a Diels-Alder adduct formed through a biotransformation process involving the Diels-Alderase enzyme,” Kurniawan explained.
Initial laboratory tests have demonstrated that the compound exhibits cytotoxic activity against cervical cancer cells, suggesting it may have the ability to kill or inhibit these cells.
“This research utilized a combination of plant, fungal, and bacterial tissue culture techniques to extract bioactive compounds,” Kurniawan added.
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He further noted that mulberry plants are rich in unique phenolic compounds with isoprenyl chains, which serve as precursors in forming the cyclohexene methyl ring found in the Kuwanon J compound.
Mulberry plants, which belong to the Moraceae family, are commonly cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions, including Indonesia and Central Asia.
In addition to his work on mulberries, Kurniawan has also studied various other natural compounds with potential anti-cancer properties, including paclitaxel from mountain cypress (Taxus sumatrana), phytosterols from mangrove oil (Rhizophora apiculata), amyrin from bottlebrush (Callistemon citrinus), and lapachol from Tabebuya (Tabebuia aurea).
“The value of utilizing local biodiversity in drug discovery is immense. Natural compounds generally offer a better safety profile with fewer side effects compared to synthetic drugs,” he emphasized. (BL)