The fight against cancer remains a significant challenge, with millions of lives lost every year, particularly in lower-income regions. This urgent issue has encouraged scientists to look for safer and more effective treatments. A recent study highlights the potential of Ziziphus nummularia, a plant known for its medicinal properties, as a promising source of anti-cancer compounds.
Dr. Sahar AlGhamdi and her team from King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences and Dr. Ishrat Rahman from Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University led this important study. Their work, featured in Scientific Reports, examines how Ziziphus nummularia and its active component, luteolin-7-O-glucoside, might combat cancer.
Dr. Sahars team created extracts from the leaves of Ziziphus nummularia using different solvents like ethanol and ethyl acetate, which are liquids used to dissolve substances, to test their impact on several types of cancer, including breast, colon, and liver cancers. Among these, the ethanol-based extract showed the strongest results, significantly reducing the survival of breast cancer cells. Additionally, the study found that this extract triggered programmed cell death, a natural process where cells self-destruct when they are damaged or no longer needed, and interfered with the structure that supports cancer cell growth and division.
Dr. Rahman shared, “Our findings highlight the potential of Ziziphus nummularia to act as a tubulin inhibitor, which interferes with essential processes in cancer cells. Tubulin is a protein that helps cells maintain their shape and divide. This is an encouraging step toward discovering plant-based treatments for cancer.”
Moreover, the researchers used computer simulations, a method of creating digital models to study how systems work, to analyze the active compounds in Ziziphus nummularia. They identified luteolin-7-O-glucoside as a particularly promising candidate because it interacts with tubulin in a way similar to well-known cancer drugs. The study also noted that while several compounds showed positive results, a few raised concerns about potential side effects on the heart, indicating the need for more research.
This study’s importance lies in its comprehensive approach, combining hands-on lab experiments with modern computer tools to understand how these plant-based compounds work. The findings suggest that extracts from Ziziphus nummularia, particularly luteolin-7-O-glucoside, could be a valuable starting point for developing new cancer treatments.
While the results are promising, they also reveal the challenges of using natural compounds for therapy. The activation of certain pathways within cells, that may help cancer cells survive treatment highlights the need for further investigation to improve the safety and effectiveness of these compounds.
Through this research, a new avenue has opened for exploring traditional herbal remedies in cancer treatment. The efforts of Dr. AlGhamdi, Dr. Rahman and colleagues showcase the powerful combination of natural medicine and advanced science, offering hope for more accessible and efficient treatments.
Journal Reference
Alghamdi, S. S., Alghashem, S. A., Ali, R., et al. “Exploring the potential of Ziziphus nummularia and luteolin-7-O-glucoside as tubulin inhibitors in cancer therapy and survival.” Scientific Reports, 2024. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-57680-0
About the Authors
Dr. Sahar Saleh Alghamdi is an Associate Professor specializing in medicinal chemistry and pharmaceutical sciences. She holds a Ph.D. in Medicinal Chemistry from the University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center (UTHSC), a Master of Science in Medicinal Chemistry from the University of Florida (UF). She has established herself as a prominent researcher in drug discovery and development, with a focus on cancer therapeutics and anti-inflammatory agents. Throughout her career, Dr. Alghamdi has been recognized for her exceptional contributions to the field with receiving numerous research awards at various prestigious conferences, highlighting her significant impact on the scientific community.
Dr. Alghamdi’s research portfolio is extensive, encompassing over 18 funded research grants where she has served as both principal investigator and co-investigator. Her work spans several critical areas, including anti-aging research, cancer treatment using novel compounds, therapeutic potential of cannabinoid receptor agonists, identification of new anticancer agents from natural sources, and innovative approaches to drug discovery and development. With several peer-reviewed publications in esteemed journals, Dr. Alghamdi has made substantial contributions to scientific literature. Her research primarily focuses on developing novel therapeutic agents for cancer treatment, anti-aging interventions, and exploring natural product chemistry for drug discovery.
As a respected researcher and educator, Dr. Sahar Saleh Alghamdi plays a crucial role in shaping the future of medicinal chemistry and drug discovery, both in Saudi Arabia and on the international stage. Beyond her academic pursuits, Dr. Alghamdi is actively involved in various scientific committees and community services programs. She serves as reviewer for several international journals and participates in organizing scientific conferences, further contributing to the advancement of pharmaceutical sciences.
Dr. Ishrat Rahman is a prominent pharmacologist and academic with more than 13 years of experience both in the UK and abroad. She is presently an Associate Professor of Pharmacology at Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University (PNU) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, UK and a Visiting Research Fellow at Newcastle University, UK. Dr. Rahman completed her Ph.D. in Pharmacy at the University of Reading, UK in collaboration with UCB Pharmaceuticals. Her research focused on the CXCR3-A receptor in human T-cells and its significance in inflammatory diseases and led her to work on several distinguished projects in Biotech Drug and Vaccine Development. At PNU, Dr. Rahman has taken on various important positions, including Divisional Head of General Medicine since 2018 and Research and Innovation Consultant for students and faculty since 2021. Dr. Rahman’s research interests include oncology, with a focus on cancer resistance. She is also dedicated to drug discovery, innovating pre-clinical drug screening, and developing assays using organoids. Dr. Rahman heads research on the mechanisms of resistance in oral and breast cancer and the role of dietary plant metabolites. Dr. Rahman is an Associate Editor for the International Archives of Biomedical and Clinical Research and the PNU College of Sciences Biodiversity Journal. Through her extensive research and collaborative efforts, Dr. Rahman continues to explore the intricate relationship between dietary interventions and cancer treatment outcomes, aiming to uncover new avenues for enhancing therapeutic efficacy and minimizing resistance.
