Tobacco leaves have a compound to fight several types of cancer: Study
tobacco leaves that holds promise in the fight against several types of cancer.
As per a TOI report, this discovery stands in stark contrast to the prevailing narrative around tobacco use. The World Health Organization (WHO) attributes a significant quarter of global cancer-related deaths to tobacco consumption, with lung cancer topping the list as its primary consequence.
The breakthrough finding comes courtesy of AU alumnus Amit Dubey, in collaboration with Indian scientist Aisha Tufail, and researchers Miah Roney and Prof AKM Moyeenul Huq from Malaysia.
Their study, which has been published in the «Journal of Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics,» a respected publication by Taylor & Francis in the UK, highlights a unique anti-cancer compound named «4-[3-Hydroxyanilino]-6,7-Dimethoxyquinazoline,» sourced from tobacco leaves. Remarkably, this compound displays no noticeable side effects.
Amit Dubey, shedding light on the discovery, told TOI, «The progression, survival, adherence, migration, and differentiation of cancer cells are all significantly impacted by the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), a protein found in the walls of tumor cells.
This protein is essential for their survival and growth.»
To arrive at this breakthrough, the research team adopted a collaborative approach. They meticulously screened compounds from the drug bank targeting the EGFR protein.
Facilitated through the University of Alberta and the Metabolomics Innovation Centre in Alberta, Canada, the drug bank serves as a comprehensive online database accessible to all. It was here that the team identified the compound from tobacco leaves, propelling their study forward.
Amit Dubey currently holds the position of Senior Scientist at Quanta
