Indian medicinal plant may be active against liver cancer

A recent study, published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology suggests that, in mice at least, extracts of Acanthus ilicifolius has chemopreventive properties against liver cancer.

The plant, known colloquially as 'Harkach Kanta' is widely distributed in the mangrove plantations of India and other Asian countries.

The research, led by Professor Malay Chatterjee from Jadavpur University showed that the aqueous leaf extract (ALE) of the plant was substantially effective in preventing hepatic DNA alterations and sister-chromatid exchanges (a type of chromosomal damage) in tumor-bearing mice. The study further demonstrated that ALE treatment was able to limit liver metallothionein expression, a potential marker for cell proliferation, and lengthen the mean survival of animals to a significant extent. The findings suggest that A. ilicifolius may be used as a potential chemoprotector against hepatic neoplasia.

Liver cancer is the fifth most common cancer globally and has a poor prognosis. In sub-Saharan Africa the incidence of the disease is more than 20 cases per 100 000 population.