Study hints at clove role in cancer cure

Al Ain: UAE scientists have found a new mechanism to extract anti-cancer agents from the clove plant, and say the finding could lead to the development of new drugs in the fight against the deadly disease.

The agent found in the clove extract is capable of killing cancer cells in the human body.

The plant extract has also shown many other therapeutic qualities during a study conducted by a five-member team of researchers at the UAE University (UAEU).

The team yesterday presented its findings at the 10th Annual Research Conference of UAEU.

"Here we report for the first time the proliferation-inhibiting and apoptosis-inducing [causing programmed cell death] effects of the effective compounds in the clove on several cancerous cell lines," they said.

The team said understanding the mechanisms through which the purified compounds in the clove extract induce apoptosis of cancer cells will be of great interest.

The clove extract was tested to varying effects on four cancer cell lines such as human cervical carcinoma, T-cell lymphoma, human leukaemia and human neuroblastoma.

Clove has proven antiseptic and antibiotic properties. It is traditionally used as a herbal remedy in many Asian and Arab countries to treat toothache and as an ingredient in toothpastes and mouthwash. It is also used as a spice.

"We have prepared extracts from the clove plant& the clove extract can have cytotoxic [killing] effects on cancer cells," said the researchers in the presentation.

A researcher said: "More recently, we have studied the cytotoxic effects of the individual compounds within the clove extract on cancer cells. Understanding the mechanisms through which these purified compounds induce apoptosis of cancer cells will be of great interest and could lead to the development of new drugs in the fight against cancer."

Cancer is among the leading causes of death in the world with about 20,000 deaths per day in 2007. After lung cancer in men and breast cancer in women, colorectal cancer is the second cause of cancer related death. It is also a leading cause of death in the UAE.

Many medicinal herbs have been used for the treatment of cancer in different parts of the world.

The trend has led to the development of many natural agents that can prevent cellular damages that lead to the development of tumours.

"There has been a growing realisation that spices possess anti-carcinogenic properties.

"Among them is the clove (Syzygium aromaticum L.) [which] is used as a spice to add flavour to exotic food preparations" said the scientists.

The research conference, organised by the Research Affairs of the UAEU, was opened by Shaikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research and Chancellor of UAE University, on Monday.

More than 250 papers are to be presented at the three-day conference.

Spices commonly used in food preparation have a lot of medicinal properties. The Indian spiced tea (chai) includes cardamom, cloves and cinnamon. It is touted to be good for arthritis and indeed, I am a regular user of my own concoction of these ingredients which I take daily in my afternoon tea. I do feel free of joint pains, although i have suffered from arthritis for 20 years. At 63 I am very active and thankfully can walk faster than any individual half my age.
Rahmatoola Rujeedawa
Pickering,Canada
Posted: April 15, 2009, 17:09