Researchers from Nagaland University, Berhampur University, and Saveetha Medical College have, in a preliminary investigation, identified the anti-cancer potential of a traditional herbal formulation used by the Konyak tribe of Nagaland, offering scientific insight into indigenous medicinal practices.
The findings have been published in the Microchemical Journal, a peer-reviewed publication focused on analytical methods for detecting and measuring chemical substances at micro and trace levels. The study has been co-authored by Longnyu M Konyak, Giridharan Bupesh, Parthasarathy Sudharsan, Nokenketla Jamir and Sidhartha Saikia from the Department of Forestry, Nagaland University, along with collaborators from the partner institutions.
While traditional medicinal systems are widely practiced across indigenous communities, the researchers noted that there has been limited scientific effort to understand the mechanisms through which such remedies exert their therapeutic effects. The present study attempts to bridge this gap by combining traditional knowledge with modern analytical and computational approaches.
The multi-institute research team investigated a five-plant polyherbal formulation and found that its bioactive compounds can effectively target VEGFR2, a key protein responsible for tumour blood vessel growth. Using advanced techniques such as GC-MS analysis and molecular simulations, the study identified compounds with strong anti-cancer potential, showing performance comparable to existing drugs while indicating lower toxicity.
Applauding the research, Vice Chancellor Prof. Jagadish K. Patnaik said, “By integrating indigenous knowledge with advanced molecular simulations, the study identifies promising compounds that match the efficacy of existing drugs while indicating lower toxicity. This achievement reflects the university’s dedication to innovative, impactful research rooted in local wisdom and global scientific advancement.”
Emphasizing the uniqueness of the study, Dr. G. Bupesh, Assistant Professor (Natural Products and Tribal Health Research), Department of Forestry, Nagaland University, said, “This is the first time a specific five-plant formulation used by the Konyak tribal healers has been scientifically analysed and validated using advanced computational methods. Using advanced techniques such as GC-MS analysis and molecular simulations, we identified compounds with strong anti-cancer potential, showing performance comparable to existing drugs while indicating lower toxicity.”
The study further revealed that these compounds demonstrated stable interactions and favourable safety profiles, indicating their potential as natural anti-angiogenic agents that could inhibit tumour growth. The research also showed that these compounds selectively target VEGFR2 over similar proteins, which could help reduce side effects in future therapeutic applications. Most identified compounds showed low toxicity and acceptable pharmacokinetic properties, making them promising candidates for further drug development.
According to the researchers, the findings not only validate indigenous knowledge systems but also open new pathways for cost-effective and nature-based drug discovery. They noted that while the results are based on computational analysis, further laboratory and clinical studies are required to validate these findings, particularly in the context of colon cancer treatment.
A video byte of Dr. G. Bupesh explaining the research has been made available online. (Watch here)
By combining indigenous knowledge with advanced scientific tools, the study demonstrates how traditional practices can inform future innovations in medicine while preserving valuable cultural heritage.