Newz Desk, Durgapur: Tucked away deep inside the dense forests of Meghalaya lies a plant that may soon reshape modern medicine. A team of scientists from Nagaland University has identified an endangered herb with remarkable medicinal potential — one that could play a crucial role in developing new treatments for colon cancer and other severe illnesses.
This rare species, Goniothalamus simonsii, known locally as Vishalyakarani, has long been part of traditional remedies used by the region’s tribal communities. For generations, these communities have turned to the plant’s leaves to treat chronic stomach ailments, malaria, typhoid, and even severe throat infections. Although they never diagnosed the diseases by name, the descriptions of symptoms provided clear clues to researchers about the plant’s effectiveness.
The discovery, led by Dr. Mayur M. Phukan of Nagaland University’s Department of Forestry, was detailed in the October edition of the peer-reviewed journal Chemistry and Biodiversity. To advance the work, the research team has collaborated with a higher education institute in Assam, aiming to unlock the plant’s full therapeutic capacity.
In laboratory tests, the scientists found compounds in Goniothalamus simonsii that act as anti-proliferative agents, meaning they can potentially prevent the spread of cancer cells—especially those associated with colon cancer. These naturally occurring compounds could serve as the foundation for new cancer therapies. “This plant contains bioactive components with strong cancer-preventive potential,” said Samson Rozli Sangma, one of the researchers involved in the project. “But using it directly is not possible; it must be integrated with advanced medical processes.”
The challenge now is to transform this traditional wisdom into a scientifically validated treatment. Extracting, purifying, and testing the compounds require painstaking clinical evaluation. According to the researchers, preparations for clinical studies are already underway and may launch soon.
While modern medicine has made tremendous advancements in cancer management, many forms of the disease still lack permanent cures. The discovery of Vishalyakarani offers a glimmer of hope — a bridge between ancient tribal knowledge and contemporary scientific innovation.
If successful, this rare plant from Meghalaya might someday become a key weapon in the global fight against cancer, proving once again that nature often holds answers where science has only just begun to look.
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