BARC team develops cancer drugs with herbs, spices - Times of India

08/08/16, 12:00 PM

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BARC team develops cancer drugs with herbs,

spices
TNN | Aug 8, 2016, 12.49 AM IST

MUMBAI: A green revolution is underway at one of the world's longest laboratories located deep inside BARC's Anushakti
Nagar complex near Chembur. Scientists at the 700-metre modular laboratory in BARC are using Indian herbs and spices to
develop anti-cancer and other drugs that will be affordable and have fewer side-effects.
Rampatri better known as `false nutmeg' and widely used in Goan and Mangalorean cuisineis a case in point. Scientists
from BARC's bioscience group have developed a chemotherapeutic drug that has, in studies on mice, shown potency against
lung cancer and neuroblastoma (a rare pediatric cancer in which cancer cells grow in the nerve cells of the adrenal glands,
neck, chest, and spinal cord).
"This is a signicant development as neuroblastoma treatment is aggressive and the disease is known to recur," said Dr S
Chattopadhyay, who heads the bio-science group. The herbal drug developed reduces the tumor burden while increasing the
efcacy of the usual chemotherapy drugs (such as cisplatin, camptothecin and etoposide) taken alongside. The use of such
agents will, in the long run, reduce the cost of medication and their side-effects.
Two other drugs in various stages of commercial release are a radiomodier and radioprotector. "We have developed
radiomodiers that will enhance the effect of radiotherapy while protecting tissues, lymphocytes, lungs and the gastrointestinal
system from radiation injury," Dr Chattopadhyay said.
The radiomodier, an oral drug, will be taken up for clinical trial at the Tata Memorial Hospital, Parel. "This herbal radiomodier
is awaiting a patent," he added.

The radioprotector, which is also awaiting a patent, can be used both before and after radiation exposure to reduce injuries and
death and will benet industry workers and the public in case of an "accidental exposure like the Fukushima nuclear explosion
in Japan or a dirty bomb".
Herbal drugs have fewer or no side-effects and are less expensive. "Moreover, the phytochemicals we develop as adjuvant
drugs enhance the efcacy of other drugs and boosts the immune system to minimize the drug dosage," Dr Chattopadhyay
said.

Radiation exposure mainly affects bone marrow, gastrointestinal and reproductive organs. A single dose of the new BARC
radioprotector protects mice from all these damages and also increases their lifespan.

"The pre-clinical results observed with the new radioprotector are better than any radioprotector discovered so far," he said. The
knowhow of the above medicines has been transferred to private entrepreneurs for a quicker commercial release.

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