Discovered plants that cure cancer

The small head plant (Hedrotis microcephala) picked from Bu Gia Map National Park, Binh Phuoc province has just been found to have anti-cancer effects.

Tree of small head.(Photo: Tu Duc Dung)

Analysis results by modern techniques, show that small head plant containing ursolic acid is effective against many cancer cell lines (cervical cancer, stomach, colon, lung, skin), against Gallstones and liver cell regeneration.

In addition, ursolic acid is also active in diuretic, detoxifying and antibiotic effects. Ursolic acid content accounts for 5-10% of substances in this plant.

This is the research result of MSc Tu Duc Dung, Faculty of Chemistry of Ho Chi Minh City University of Natural Sciences with pharmacist Phan Duc Binh and colleagues. Scientists are now collaborating with a domestic pharmaceutical company to purify ursolic acid purified from small-headed plant.

According to the research team, small-headed plantations not only grow in Bu Gia Map National Park but also in other localities such as Dong Nai and Lam Dong .