These Filipino students from University of the Philippines-Manila has made a
discovery having in mind that around 59,000 of their countrymen are dying from
different type of cancers every year.
They are addressing a medical issue that will
benefit first and foremost –Filipinos.
The Philippines being an archipelagic country and
noting the abundance of different organisms locally like the horn snail or
locally known as “bagongon”.
 |
| horn snails “bagongon” (Telescopium telescopium) (photo credit to owner) |
Extracted compounds from the “bagongon” were
discovered to have properties that may be used for the development of a cancer
treatment.
Students from the University of the Philippines
(UP)-Manila, in a study published in the journal Acta Medica Philippina last
month, found that certain extracts from locally abundant horn snails “bagongon”
(Telescopium telescopium) may prevent angiogenesis or the formation of blood
vessels from existing ones.
The blood vessels, according to the authors,
supply oxygen and nutrients for the growth of cancer cells, making angiogenesis
a significant mechanism of growth and spread of cancer cells in the body.
“By preventing angiogenesis, cancer cells are
starved and do not grow and spread,” read an abstract of the study released by
the UP office of the vice president for academic affairs.
“Therefore, the use of anti-angiogenic agents has
been an advantageous therapy for cancer. This study evaluated the potential
antiangiogenic activity of Telescopium telescopium locally known as Bagongon,”
it added.
The paper are co-authored by industrial pharmacy
graduates Milany Anne Luay, Mary France Gonzaga and Sharmaine Kae Po, along
with their adviser Erna Arollado, currently the director of the UP Institute of
Pharmaceutical Sciences.
Po in an interview with
Philippine Star, clarified that their research on the bagongon is only an
initial step into finding an actual cure or treatment for cancer using extracts
from horn snails.
She
said more studies and trials are needed in order for a cure to be made
available to the public.
What can you say about the article?
Share us your thoughts by simply
leaving on the comment section below. For more news updates, feel free to visit
our site often.
Stay updated with today's relevant
news and trends by hitting the LIKE button.
Thanks for dropping by and reading
this post.
Report from PhilStar
0 Comments