Guided by the knowledge of traditional Ayurvedic medicine, researchers at the University of Karnataka have highlighted the anti-cancer properties of two medicinal plants, Leea indica and Allophyllus cobbe.

Prostate cancer is the second most common form of cancer in men, and the sixth leading cause of cancer-related death in developed countries. The most common treatments, such as surgery, hormone therapy, radio or chemotherapy, if effective, have significant side effects.

Inspired by traditional Ayurvedic medicine, the team of Dr. M.B. Hiremath, Associate Professor at the University of Karnataka in Dharwad, studied the anti-cancer properties of two medicinal plants, Leea indica and Allophyllus cobbe in the treatment of prostate cancer. Leea indica, an evergreen shrub native to South and Southeast Asia, is commonly used in traditional medicine to relieve headaches, skin disorders, as well as for its anti-diabetic, anti-diarrheal, and anti-dysenteric properties. As for Allophyllus cobbe, a small shrub common in the Western Ghats, it is used to treat fractures, inflammations, ulcers, and as an antiseptic.

While studies on extracts from these plants have already demonstrated their cytotoxic properties on colon and breast cancer cells, Professor Hiremath’s study is the first to focus on their effects on prostate cancer.

The extract prepared from the leaves of these plants showed significant efficacy on prostate cancer cells that gradually degraded before reaching apoptosis (programmed cell death) 72 hours after exposure, without affecting healthy cells.

Dr. Hiremath’s team also highlighted the presence of molecules known to be powerful antioxidants in the leaves of Leea indica and Allophyllus cobbe such as phenols, alkaloids, flavonoids, and saponins that have the ability to destroy free radicals present in the body.

Following the encouraging results obtained during the in vitro tests, the researchers hope to quickly move on to the clinical trial phase to establish the real therapeutic potential of these plant extracts.