In Malaysia, University of Malaya researchers found that four species of a tropical and subtropical herb called Phyllanthus, can offer hope for breast cancer patients. Researchers studied how the extracts from the flowering herb fights breast cancer by killing the cells in two ways. The extracts suppressed two proteins known for supporting the cancer cells, thus blocking the tumor cells from spreading. The extracts also caused a key compound that “turns on” tumor growth to be interrupted, thus reducing blood vessel growth to the tumors and resulting in cell death. The plants were found to have high polyphenol compounds and antioxidants, which help fight cancer as well. It might be a while before the herbs can be used for patient treatment as they still have to undergo animal testing and human clinical trials.
Latest article
Crude awakening: Kapoor’s renewable-material protest art installed on Shell gas platform
In the North Sea, protest art made by Anish Kapoor, using renewable materials such as used coffee grounds and beetroot powder, has been installed...
Tiny Vinyl to release tiny, biobased PVC records
In the US, a startup called Tiny Vinyl has created cute, mini, vinyl records out of bio-attributed polyvinyl chloride. The 4-inch mini singles play...
Fun with Fungi: Japanese designers create mycelium block-growing kit
In Japan, designers have created a biomaterial kit for growing toy blocks out mycelium. Dubbed MYMORI, the kit includes block molds and a mycelium...