Female scientist to make drugs to support cancer treatment
Dr Nguyen Thi Hoai has found 30 species with anti-cancer and anti-oxidant features
“I have been hearing for a long time that ethnic minority herbalists have useful folk remedies to treat cancer and other diseases. I found patients whose illness eased thanks to remedies and I decided that I needed to find the elements of medicinal plants and discover their capability in supporting cancer treatment,” Hoai said.
In 2011-2012, Hoai went to Quang Tri areas to look for medicinal plants. However, she realized that it was a difficult job, because ethnic people were not willing to reveal their remedies.
After getting plant samples, Hoai spent a year in laboratory to discover the elements of the plants. Finally, she found 30 medicinal plants which have anti-cancer and anti-oxidant features.
“On this basis, I built up a database about 14 medicinal plants related to fighting cancer and a database about 16 plants with antioxidant,” she said.
| Of the 102 medicinal plants used by Pako-Van Kieu ethnic people in the Central Region to treat diseases, Dr. Nguyen Thi Hoai has found 30 species containing antioxidants with the ability to kill cancer cells. |
“I also carried out careful study about the 30 species and found two species with strong activity for further research about chemical elements and biological effects. They are bu de tia (Uvaria grandiflora Roxb. ex Hornem) with cancer cell killing activity and man dia (Archidendron clypearia) with antioxidant activity,” she said.
Some other scientific research works by Hoai are also highly appreciated, including a study on the effects of species belonging to Hedyotis genus to inhibit the development of cancer cells. On the basis, the products that support cancer treatment have been developed.
Having conducted research on 30 species of Hedyotis genus in Vietnam, Hoai has found a species with strong activity for further research – an dien non (Hedyotis pilulifera (Pit.) T. N. Ninh – Rubiaceae).
Hoai received the Associate Professor title at the age of 35. She is the chief researcher of many scientific research projects at the ministerial level, the author and co-author of 21 internationally published articles, four reports at international conferences and 60 domestically published articles.
Hoai, who suffered from thyroid cancer, spends most of her time on research. The good news is that her disease has been stabilized.
Hoai said she wants people to profit from medicinal herb farming and patients to use medicine at reasonable prices./.
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