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A team of local and foreign scientists has discovered extracts of a tree that can kill several cancers, some of which are already resistant to available drugs. The shrub, scientifically known as Ormocarpum kirkii, or Mkitaji in Swahili is developing in most parts of the country and is used traditionally for medicinal purposes.
Extracts of roots, stems and bark have been tested against seven types of cancers. Until now, the results published in the May 2019 issue of the journal phytomedicine For example, the chemical compounds of the tree were effective against cancers of the liver, bad and brain.
The team from the University of Nairobi, the Johannes Gutenberg University in Germany, the University of Potsdam in Germany, the Medical Research Institute of Kenya (KEMRI) and the University of Dschang in Cameroon said it was a prime candidate for the development of new anti-cancer drugs.
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"Two tree compounds deserve additional work to develop new anti-cancer drugs to combat sensitive and resistant cancer cell lines," the study said. The active ingredients studied are part of the compounds known as isoflavones and biflavonoids isolated from the tree and have the capacity to treat many cancers as well as tumors that have become resistant to current drugs.
Also known as chitadzi or kitadzi among the Digo of the coast, it is said to have magical properties. An infusion of leaves is sprinkled around the house and in the door to prevent intruders from entering.
The ashes of this plant are rubbed on sections or blisters to reduce swelling. It is also used in the treatment of allergic conditions. The roots are used for rheumatism and stomach problems.
The bush now joins more than 20 local plant sources scientifically confirmed over the last three years as having the potential to treat various cancers. At Kemri's annual scientific conference in 2017, researchers confirmed that they have tested about 20 local plant species and found them effective against some of the major cancers that affect Kenyans.
Scientists from various local universities who collaborated with Kemri described how they had tracked, studied and confirmed in laboratories that plant extracts were effective treatments for even the most deadly cancers. The plant extracts tested proved to be effective against cancers of the prostate, bad, lung, blood and cervix.
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Even after being tested against Tamoxifen, a key drug in bad cancer, some local herbs have held up well.
But as in this study, Kemri researchers in 2017 had promised that there was still a lot to be done to develop treatment drugs.
However, no progress or product development has been reported since. The national government has recently expressed concern over what it has described as a lack of transition from laboratory research to product development, despite significant financial investments in medical research.
Low impact
"Health research in Kenya is characterized by low levels of return on investment and low impact on health standards," says the health working group of the Ministry of Health in its 2018 report to the national treasury. But in his defense, Kemri blames the government for stifling them.
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In an interview with local media in August, Dr. Peter Mwitari, head of the Center for Traditional Medicine and Drug Research, said he did the necessary laboratory work, but did not have the funds to make it a product. or a service.
For example, he explained that the center asked for 14 million Shillans for the development of three medical products, but received only 3.9 million shillings for a range of uses.
"We conducted research showing that herbs had the described potential, hence the need to move to the next level of product development. The public needs to take advantage of the taxes it pays, which finances us, "said Dr. Mwitari.
For Dr. Kemri, another researcher at the center, Dr. Festus Tolo, said their work ended after pilot trials with no prospects for industrial production.
The researchers also argued that the center lacked up-to-date drug development facilities and was dependent on the technologies of the 1980s.
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But herbalists say the government's approach to herbal medicine is bad. "We do not need to turn herbal medicines into complicated conventional drugs, but to apply them as faithfully as possible," says James Njoroge, a practitioner of herbal medicine at Almed Health Products in Nairobi.
"The government needs to help herbalists streamline delivery, safety, hygiene, storage, legislation and standards, as is the case in India and China," said Njoroge.
Related Topics
CancerCancer DrugOrmocarpum kirkiimkitajiHealth
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