Scientists Discover Mechanism for Producing Cough Suppressant and Cancer Cell Killer from Opium Poppy, Paving the Way for Higher-Yield Varieties.
The opium poppy is known for providing heroin, a banned substance, but it is also a crucial component in the production of pain-relieving medications such as morphine and codeine, as well as the cough suppressant noscapine.
The opium poppy is also an important source of medicinal materials.
Recently, researchers have discovered that noscapine is also an effective anti-cancer agent, opening the door for clinical trials against blood cancers.
The scientists at the University of York and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) have identified a group of 10 genes that determine the mechanism for producing noscapine compounds in opium poppy flowers, paving the way for breeders to create higher-yield opium poppy varieties.
This groundbreaking discovery was published in the journal Science. GSK, based in the UK, is a leading global producer of opiate-derived ingredients, supplying about 20% of the medical opiate demand sourced from Tasmania.
In contrast to the illegal opium production in many countries like Afghanistan, where farmers collect opium by hand, commercial opium production is harvested mechanically.
This mechanization helps reduce the costs of cultivation and harvesting, even as most current medications are made from synthetic chemicals or biotechnology.
