Bhopal: In a major breakthrough in cancer treatment, a state-run university here has discovered anti-cancer molecules, inspired by the all-time tested properties of turmeric, which it claims will ‘revolutionize’ the fight against the dreaded disease in an effective manner.

Researchers at Department of Pharmacy of the Rajiv Gandhi Proudyogiki Vishwavidyalaya (RGPV), Bhopal, have discovered the two new anti-cancer molecules from turmeric, that effectively kill several types of cancer cells without causing side-effects.

”Imbibing inspiration from turmeric due to its therapeutic quality, the molecules, code named CR-17 and CR-20, are an outcome of 12 years of intensive research,” said RGPV Vice-Chancellor Piyush Trivedi.

Piyush Trivedi and his doctoral student Dr C Karthikeyan claimed that their team in collaboration with Canada-based Advanced Medical Research Institute’s Dr Hyoun Lee’s team, conducted intensive research to discover these molecules. They also announced that the university has applied for a US patent of the discovery of the new anti-cancer molecules code named CTR-17 and CTR-20.

“An US provisional patent application has been officially filed to protect intellectual property rights,” Trivedi said.

“Inspired by the healing properties of turmeric, which is available in every household and considered as an effective antiseptic and given almost to everyone for treating various ailments, we have studied it deeply for almost 10 long years and discovered a molecule based on our findings which has magical effects on treating cancer during pre-clinical trials,” Trivedi said.

He further added saying, ‘It is unique in the sense that unlike other cancer drugs, that have major side-effects especially when one undergoes chemotherapy, this molecule targets and destroys only cancerous cells and causes no damage to other vital cells of the body.”

As per Karthikeyan, who was associated with the research since the beginning, the molecules code named CTR-17 and CTR-20 trigger an anti-cancer mechanism, which involves obstruction of multiplication of cancer cells by inhibiting a protein called tubulin, which is important for many cellular functions, including chromosome segregation during cell division, intracellular transport, development and maintenance of cell shape, cell motility and distribution of cell membranes.

“Besides these two, we have also discovered 22 other molecules and their pre-clinical trials has also produced very encouraging results and would prove a boon to cancer patients,” Mr. Trivedi said, adding, “RGPV is the only university in the country that has carried out research of this kind which will transform the lives of those suffering from cancer.”

“Studies in the lab have also showed that CTR-17 and CTR-20 increased the life span of animals affected with tumour manifold by including tumour regression in mice models without showing any long term adverse effects, especially less toxicity.”

Furthermore, the molecules also showed strong synergistic effects in combination with paclitaxel (an anti-cancer drug in clinical use) on multidrug-resistant cells.