Scientists have found that Kencur, a tropical plant in the ginger family, and its primary active component, ethyl p-methoxycinnamate (EMC), significantly prevent cancer cell growth. The team determined mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM) as a crucial consider this anti-cancer impact.
A type of ginger from Southeast Asia might work as a possible component for brand-new anti-cancer markers.
You might recognize Kencur as a fragrant spice that enhances your meals or a natural option for digestion issues. However, researchers from Osaka Metropolitan University have found motivating evidence that this tropical plant, a member of the ginger family belonging to Southeast Asia, has anti-cancer residential or commercial properties.
Led by Associate Professor Akiko Kojima of the Graduate School of Human Life and Ecology, the scientists showed that Kencur extract and its primary active component, ethyl p-methoxycinnamate (EMC), considerably suppressed cancer cell growth at the animal and cellular levels.
Jamu– an Indonesian drink prepared from Kencur ginger. Credit: Akiko Kojima, Osaka Metropolitan University
While previous research studies on EMC showed its anti-cancer capacity by reducing the expression of mitochondrial transcription aspect A (TFAM), which is connected with cancer cell proliferation, the exact system stayed unclear till now.
” The outcomes of this study verify the anti-cancer results of Kencur extract and its main active component, EMC. It is highly anticipated that TFAM will become a new marker for anti-cancer results in the future as research advances in associated fields,” Professor Kojima stated.
Recommendation: “Kaempferia galanga L. extract and its main component, ethyl p-methoxycinnamate, hinder the proliferation of Ehrlich ascites tumor cells by suppressing TFAM expression” by Yutaro Sasaki, Toshio Norikura, Isao Matsui-Yuasa, Ritsuko Fujii, Leenawaty Limantara and Akiko Kojima-Yuasa, 23 June 2023, Heliyon.DOI: 10.1016/ j.heliyon.2023. e17588.