According to the Kunming Institute of Botany, part of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, researchers in China have discovered compounds in Aquilaria sinensis (Lour.) Spreng, commonly known as white sandalwood or bạch mộc hương, a species of plant in the agarwood family, that have the ability to inhibit the growth of malignant tumors.
White sandalwood. (Source: wikiwand.com)
This plant is a crucial component in the production of agarwood used in traditional Chinese medicine and primarily grows in the southern regions of the country.
During the screening of drugs that assist in cancer prevention research, the researchers found that the ethanol extract of white sandalwood flowers significantly inhibited tumors associated with lung cancer, cervical cancer, neuroblastoma, and ovarian cancer.
Through the biological testing guidelines of the ethanol extract, the researchers identified a new organic triterpenoid compound of the cucurbitane type that can inhibit the growth of human lung adenocarcinoma SPC-A-1, squamous cell carcinoma of the lung NCI-H520, and human lung adenocarcinoma A549.
The scientists stated that the study provides new insights into the more effective use of white sandalwood.
The findings were published in the journal Natural Products and Bioprospecting.
