Researchers from Nagaland University (NU), Berhampur University, and Saveetha Medical College have, in a preliminary investigation, identified traditional herbal formulation used by the Konyak tribe for its anti-cancer potential, providing valuable scientific insight into indigenous medicinal practices.
The multi-institute research team investigated a five-plant polyherbal formulation and found that its bioactive compounds can effectively target VEGFR2, a key protein responsible for tumour blood vessel growth.
While traditional medicinal systems are widely practiced across indigenous communities, the researchers found that there has been limited scientific effort to understand the mechanisms through which such remedies exert their therapeutic effects. Traditional herbs are widely used, but a few studies have been attempted to understand their mechanism of action or validate their effectiveness using modern scientific tools. The present study attempted to bridge this gap by combining traditional knowledge with modern analytical and computational approaches.
The findings were published in the Microchemical Journal, a peer-reviewed scientific journal. The paper was co-authored by Longnyu M. Konyak, Giridharan Bupesh, Parthasarathy Sudharsan, Nokenketla Jamir, Sidhartha Saikia from department of forestry, Nagaland University, along with collaborators from Berhampur University and Saveetha Medical College.
NU vice chancellor Prof. Jagadish K. Patnaik lauded the multi-institute research team for uncovering the cancer-fighting potential of traditional Konyak herbal medicine. Prof. Patnaik said that this achievement reflected the university’s dedication to innovative, impactful research rooted in local wisdom and global scientific advancement.
Emphasizing the uniqueness of the study, Dr. G. Bupesh, assistant professor (Natural Products and Tribal Health Research), Department of Forestry, NU said this was the first time a specific five-plant formulation used by the Konyak tribal healers has been scientifically analysed and validated using advanced computational methods.
The study further revealed that these compounds demonstrated stable interactions and favourable safety profiles, indicating their potential as natural anti-angiogenic agents that could inhibit tumour growth. The research also showed that these natural compounds selectively target VEGFR2 over similar proteins, which could help reduce side effects in future therapeutic applications.
While the findings are currently based on computational analysis, the researchers emphasized the need for further laboratory and clinical studies to validate these results, particularly in the context of colon cancer treatment.
By combining indigenous knowledge with advanced scientific tools, the study provides a powerful example of how traditional practices can inform future innovations in medicine, while also preserving valuable cultural heritage.
