The fight against cancer remains a major challenge, with millions of lives each year, especially in low-income areas. This urgent question encourages scientists to find safer and more effective treatments. A recent study highlights the potential of Ziiphus Nummularia, a plant known for its medicinal properties and a promising source of anti-cancer compounds.
Dr. Sahar Alghamdi and her team from Saudi King Abdulaziz Health Sciences and Dr. Ishrat Rahman from Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman chaired the important study. Their work describes in a scientific report how Ziiphus Nummularia and its active ingredient Luteolin-7-O-glucoside fight cancer.
Dr. Sahars’s team created extracts from the leaves of Ziiphus Nummularia using different solvents such as ethanol and ethyl acetate, which are liquids used to dissolve substances to test their effects on several types of cancer, including breast cancer, colon Cancer and liver cancer. Among them, ethanol-based extracts showed the strongest results, which significantly reduced the survival of breast cancer cells. Additionally, the study found that the extract triggers programmed cell death, a natural process in which cells self-destruct when damaged or no longer need it and interfere with the growth and division of cancer cells that support cancer cell growth and division structure.
Dr Rahman shared: “Our findings highlight the potential of Ziiphus nummularia as a tubulin inhibitor, which interferes with fundamental processes in cancer cells. Tubulin is a protein that helps cells retain their shape and split. This is an encouraging step towards plant treatments that discover cancer.”
Additionally, the researchers used computer simulations, a method to create digital models to study how systems work, to analyze active compounds in Ziiphus Nummularia. They identified lutein-7-O-glucoside as a particularly promising candidate because it interacts with tubulin in a manner similar to well-known cancer drugs. The study also noted that while several compounds showed positive effects, there are some concerns about the potential side effects of the heart, suggesting that more research is needed.
The importance of this study lies in its holistic approach, combining hands-on laboratory experiments with modern computer tools, to understand how these plant-based compounds work. The results show that the extract of Ziiphus nummularia, especially Luteolin-7-O-glucoside, may be a valuable starting point for the development of new cancer treatments.
Although the results are promising, they also reveal the challenges of using natural compounds for treatment. Activation of certain pathways in cells may contribute to cancer cells’ survival in treatment, highlighting the need for further research to improve the safety and effectiveness of these compounds.
Through this study, a new pathway opens to explore traditional herbs in cancer treatment. The efforts of Dr. Alghamdi, Dr. Rahman and colleagues demonstrate a strong combination of natural medicine and advanced science, providing hope for more accessible and efficient treatments.
Journal reference
Alghamdi, SS, Alghashem, SA, Ali, R. wait. “Exploring the potential of Ziiphus nummularia and Luteolin-7-O-glucoside as microtubule inhibitors in cancer treatment and survival.” Scientific Reports, 2024. doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-57680-0
About the Author
Dr. Sahar Saleh Alghamdi He is an associate professor specializing in medicinal chemistry and pharmacy sciences. She has a Ph.D. Major in Medicinal Chemistry from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC), and Master of Science in Medicinal Chemistry from the University of Florida (UF). She has established renowned researchers in the field of drug discovery and development, focusing on cancer treatments and anti-inflammatory agents. Throughout her career, Dr. Alghamdi has received numerous research awards for her numerous research awards at various prestigious conferences in recognition of her significant impact on the scientific community.
Dr. Alghamdi’s portfolio of research is very broad, covering 18 funded research grants, where she served as principal investigator and co-researcher. Her work spans several key areas, including the use of novel compounds, therapeutic potential of cannabinoid receptor agonists, identification of cancer treatments from new anticancer drugs from naturally sourced sources, and innovative approaches for drug discovery and development. There are several peer-reviewed publications in respected journals, and Dr. Alghamdi has made a significant contribution to the scientific literature. Her research focuses on the development of novel therapeutic agents for cancer treatment, anti-aging interventions and the exploration of natural product chemistry.
As a respected researcher and educator, Dr. Sahar Saleh Alghamdi plays a crucial role in shaping the future of medicinal chemistry and drug discovery in both Saudi Arabia and international stages. effect. In addition to her academic pursuits, Dr. Alghamdi is actively involved in various scientific committees and community service programs. She serves as a reviewer for several international journals and participates in organizing scientific conferences, further promoting the development of pharmacy.
Dr. Ishrat Rahman He is a renowned pharmacist and academic, with over 13 years of experience in the UK and abroad. She is currently an associate professor of pharmacology at the Princess of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (PNU), and a visiting researcher at the College of Higher Education in the UK and the University of Newcastle, UK. Dr. Rahman completed his PhD in partnership with UCB Pharmaceuticals for a PhD in Pharmaceuticals at the University of Reading, UK. Her research focuses on the CXCR3-A receptor in human T cells and its importance in inflammatory diseases and has led her to several outstanding projects in biotechnology drug and vaccine development. At PNU, Dr. Rahman holds a variety of important positions, including Head of General Medicine since 2018, and Consultant for Research and Innovation for Students and Faculty since 2021. Dr. Rahman’s research interests include oncology, focusing on cancer. She is also committed to drug discovery, innovative preclinical drug screening, and the use of organoid development assays. Dr. Rahman is responsible for studying the mechanisms of drug resistance in oral and breast cancer and the role of dietary plant metabolites. Dr. Rahman is associate editor of the International Biomedical and Clinical Research Archives and the Journal of Biodiversity, PNU School of Science. Through her extensive research and collaborative efforts, Dr. Rahman continues to explore the complex relationship between dietary interventions and cancer treatment outcomes, aiming to discover new avenues to enhance treatment efficiency and minimize resistance.
