Researchers have discovered the key behind traditional Asian medicine’s potential to fight cancer. The compound in question, cordycepin, is produced by a caterpillar fungus.
The caterpillar fungus, known as Cordyceps militarishas long been appreciated in the traditional Chinese medicine and Tibetan for its alleged restorative and toning properties. Now, modern science is beginning to unlock the secrets behind this mushroom’s medicinal potential.
The studypublished in the magazine FEBS Letterswas led by Dr. Cornelia de Moor from School of Pharmacy from the University of Nottingham. His team used advanced techniques to analyze the impact of cordycepin across thousands of genes across multiple cell lines. Their findings reveal that this fungal compound works by interrupting the same signals that drive uncontrolled cell growth, a hallmark of cancer.
We have been studying the effects of cordycepin on a number of diseases for several years and step by step we are getting closer to understanding how it could be used as an effective treatment.
The study
The researchers found that once inside the cell, cordycepin is converted into a molecule that closely resembles the cell’s primary energy carrier, ATP. This cordycepin-based compound therefore directly interferes with the pathways promoting cell growth, potentially slowing the rapid division seen in tumor cells.
This mechanism of action suggests that cordycepin derivatives could be a less harmful alternative to many current cancer treatments.
While much work remains to be done, these findings represent an important step forward in the development of new, more targeted cancer therapies. By harnessing the power of natural compounds, researchers hope to one day provide patients with effective treatments that minimize the harmful side effects of current treatments.
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