A team of researchers from the Department of Biochemistry & Biotechnology, Annamalai University, Tamil Nadu, has demonstrated that nimbolide, a compound isolated from the leaves and flowers of neem ( Azadirachta indica) , an evergreen tree ubiquitous in the Indian subcontinent, could possibly be used to treat oral cancer.
The study findings, published in the journal Scientific Reports, Nature Publication Group, scientifically validate traditional claims on the anticancer properties of natural products, particularly neem which is a treasure trove of over 300 bioactive phytochemicals.
According to a press note, over the past two decades, the team led by Prof. Siddavaram Nagini has established the anticancer properties of neem extracts and neem phytochemicals, especially nimbolide. Using bioinformatics tools, cell-based assays and animal model systems, the team convincingly demonstrated that nimbolide prevents cancer progression by inducing death of cancer cells whilst simultaneously inhibiting their proliferation as well as their ability to form new blood vessels (angiogenesis) and metastise.
“Analysis of the mechanism revealed that nimbolide activates tumour suppressor proteins that are constitutively downregulated in cancer, Professor Nagini said.
It is well established that an imbalance between oncogenes and tumour suppressor genes leads to the development of cancer.
RECK, a tumour suppressor protein widely expressed in normal tissues, is frequently absent in malignant tumours.
Nimbolide prevents ‘ RECKlessness ’, a hallmark of cancer by inhibiting an array of potent RECK inhibitors including a small group of noncoding microRNAs. In essence, the therapeutic strategy of nimbolide involved ' inhibiting the inhibitors ' of tumour suppression.
The team is looking forward to perform large-scale studies to analyse the therapeutic potential of nimbolide both alone and in combination with chemotherapeutic drugs in other preclinical cancer models as well as the ADME (absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion) properties of nimbolide, the press note said.
