Three UGM students made use of bluebellvine (Clitoria ternatea) as medicine to inhibit the growth of breast cancer cells.
“Bluebellvine has flavonoids such as kaempferol and quercetin that has the potential as anticancer medicine,” said one of the researchers, Azzahra Asysifa, in a release received on Thursday (16/5).
The medical student along with fellow students Achmad Ilham Nurgina (medical) dan Andiny Aguningtyas (pharmacy) researched into how flavonoid extracts in Clitoria ternatea can kill cancer cells and inhibit the migration speed of breast cancer cells. The research was conducted through the Student Creativity Program UGM 2019 under the guidance of Dr. dr. Eti Nurwening Sholikhah, M.Kes.
Azzahra said the research started from the concern for breast cancer sufferers. . This disease is a leading cause of cancer deaths in more than 100 countries. In 2018 there were reportedly approximately 2.1 million new cases of breast cancer.
“Even scientists predicted in 2050 the prevalence will reach as high as 3.2 million new cases each year,” she said.
Although currently there are various cancer treatment methods, such as chemotherapy, these methods cause side effects that can reduce the patients’ quality of life. Therefore, many therapies have been developed to target genetical or molecular abnormalities so that they do not harm the normal cells.
The students started by targeting the BCL-2 and VEGF genes which play a role in the development and migration of cancer cells.
“The results are expected to be a milestone in the development of targeted therapies that may replace chemotherapy by utilizing herbal resources,” she concluded. (Humas UGM/Ika;foto: Wikipedia)
