BARC Scientists Develop Cancer Drugs From Fruit Extract

Mumbai: BARC scientists have developed two anti-cancer medicines from the fruit extract of the Rampatri plant, which may help destroy tumours and revive cells damaged by radiation.

Rampatri plant, which is used as a spice in foods, belongs to the Myristicaceae family and is found in western coastal region of the country. Scientists at Bhabha atomic Research Centre (BARC) based in Anushaktinagar, Mumbai tested the medicines made from this plant on mice and found that they may help in treating lung cancer and neuroblastoma, a rare cancer found in children.

In neuroblastoma, cancer cells grow in nerve cells of adrenal glands, neck, chest and spinal chord. The medicines were developed by Dr B Shankar Patro, scientist of Radiation Biology and Health sciences at BARC. Patro said that the molecules of Rampatri fruit may destroy the cancer cells. Medicines developed from these molecules may also help in reviving cells destroyed due to radiation.

S Chattopadhaya, Head of Bio Science Division of BARC said that the research centre was working for many years to develop cancer medicines from herbal plants.

"We have developed BARC Radio Modifier and BARC Radio Protector. We have also applied for patent and hope we will get it soon," said Chattopadhaya. "Pre clinical trials have been done for both the medicines and we have sought permission of Drug Controller General of India to test it on humans," he said.

From June this year, Tata Memorial Centre in Mumbai may begin clinical trial of Radio Modifier medicine. "Radio Modifier helps to protect healthy cells during radiation therapy and if this medicine is given within four hours in case of any nuclear accident, life of the affected person may be saved," said Dr Santosh Kumar Sandur, scientist of Radiation Biology and Health Sciences at BARC.