Scientists from China University of Pharmacy and Nanjing Medical University found that the metabolic products of the Bipolaris victoriae S27 fungus living on plants contain anti-cancer compounds. Research results It was published In the journal Angewandte Chemie.
Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting the intestines. Traditional treatment methods use cytostatic drugs that disrupt the development of not only cancer cells but also healthy cells, and this causes many side effects. However, increasing emphasis is being placed on targeted therapies that target specific molecules in cancer cells to reduce damage to healthy tissue.
Approximately half of targeted therapy drugs are developed from natural ingredients such as plants, bacteria and marine organisms.
During the research, experts examined the metabolic products of the Bipolaris victoriae S27 fungus living on plants. They identified a previously unknown class of compounds: terpene-nonadrid heterodimers. Nine of the 12 substances studied were highly effective in fighting cancer cells, and one of them was as effective as the widely used drug cisplatin.
In experiments on rodents, a drug based on this substance was able to significantly reduce tumors without toxic side effects; this makes it a promising candidate for further research in the field of targeted therapy for colorectal cancer.
Previously found molecules that will help develop drugs for weight loss.