Production of herbal anticancer drugs

Iranian scientists have successfully produced Interferon-Gamma, a basic substance to fight cancer, using herbal extracts.

Esmaeil Saei, head of the Department of Technology at the Iranian University of Education, said: "Iranian scientists have determined that these herbal extracts make immune cells able to produce Interferon ^{(1 )} and activate receptors like Toll ⁽²⁾ ".

He added: "The syringes for cancer patients containing 1 milligram of Interferon-Gamma that Iran currently imports are very high costs of up to $ 2,800 per tube . "

"With the introduction of this drug in local factories, we will cut the current cost by 10 percent for this drug if it is imported, this cost reduction will save some money. Significant for the cost of the country, " Mr. Saei said.

Saei also emphasized that unlike imported drugs from abroad there are many side effects, the version of domestically produced drugs has no side effects for patients because it is made from herbal extracts.

He said that the production of this important substance increased the hope of producing interferon beta, a type of interferon used to treat multiple sclerosis.

(1) Interferon (IFN) was discovered by Isaacs and Linderman in 1957, which is a substance produced by white blood cells and lympo cells, has a protein nature, has been applied to prevent and treat infectious diseases. due to viruses and cancer. There are 3 types of IFN: a, b and g (gamma).

(2) Toll-like receptors (TLRs) have the following functions:

a. Leads immune cells to the inflammation to destroy the antigen (disease).
b. Activating lypho cells into effector cells to destroy antigens according to their own mechanisms.
c. Activate 'epithelial cells' epithelial cells.
d. Activate tassel cells or dendritic cells.
e. Stimulates the production of interferon.