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Scientists from China and UK have started co-efforts on a research to find out how the anti-cancer components are produced inside a traditional Chinese herb.

This can lead to development of new health supplement and drugs to help control and fight with cancer, scientists said during the establishment of a new Sino-UK joint research centre.

Under the cooperation of China Academy of Sciences (CAS) and UK-based John Innes Center (JIC), a joint research center called CAS-JIC Centre of Excellence for Plant and Microbial Science with participation of three leading institutes from China and UK was established with main focus on the improvement of food crops and the production of high-value, beneficial products from plants and microbes, experts announced over the weekend.

Herb Huangqin, or Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, is been used in traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of respiratory infection through effects of anti-inflammation and clearing away heat. But scientists have found its anti-cancer effects in its two compounds—baicalein and wogonin, but how the two elements compound and metabolize remained unknown.

Through the team from both Shanghai and UK, scientists explained how the two useful compounds are made in Huangqin. “With the discovery, we can introduce the two compounds in other plants to product plants with anti-cancer effects and develop pure supplements and drugs with anti-cancer effects to benefit the public,” said Dr Zhao Qing from the team.