Scientists at Kerala farm varsity identify anti-cancer properties of fungus used for bio-control
04 Apr 2015
Scientists from the Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) in collaboration with the Regional Cancer Centre (RCC), Thiruvananthapuram have identified anti cancer properties of the fungus-T. They are now trying to design treatment methods using the anti-cancer properties of rare genes of medicinal fungus that is widely used as a pesticide in agriculture.
Media reports had earlier quoted Santhosh Kumar, an assistant professor at the Regional Agricultural Research Station, Pilicode, to have studied the fungus in 2013, while conducting research on the coconut root grub ( Leucopholis coneophora) attacking trees in Kannur, Kozhikode, and Kasaragod districts.
Initial studies have confirmed that the fungus, which belongs to the Cordyceps genus, knows also as caterpillar fungus, has tumour suppressing properties and also cold help inhibit the proliferation of lung cancer cells.
The Hindu quoted KAU vice chancellor P Rajendran as saying, ''We will also explore the possibility of using the species to develop nutraceuticals with immunity-enhancement, anti-aging, and anti-fatigue properties.''
The scientists are trying to develop the culture of the fungus in a lab condition, so as to assess the scope for large-scale production and development of a treatment for cancer, which can probably replace the standard chemotherapy.
In the treatment of the coconut root grub, the fungus reaches the trunk and feeds on the roots as it requires its larva as host where the spore germinates within the body of the grub and then kills the host. The fruiting body of the fungus that emerges from the dead larva can be effective in natural control of the coconut root grub.
But, for the treatment of cancer, scientists have to find an alternative host species to multiply the fungus.
The ancient Ayurveda system gives great value for the fungi family for the production of medicinal drug with a broad range of pharmacological applications.
