Kencur, a tropical plant belonging to the ginger family, native to Southeast Asia, is widely known for its fragrant properties that enhance the taste of dishes and its traditional use as a natural treatment for digestive problems. Nevertheless, scientists from Osaka Metropolitan University have found promising indications that this plant has anti-cancer properties.
Led by Associate Professor Akiko Kojima from the Graduate School of Human Life and Ecology, a team of scientists demonstrated that Kencur extracts, in addition to its principal lively compound, ethyl p-methoxycinnamate (EMC), have significant inhibitory effects on the expansion of cancer cells, each at the extent of cellular and animal.
Although previous studies have suggested the anticancer potential of EMC by reducing the expression of mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM), which is related to cancer cell proliferation, the precise underlying mechanism remained unclear until now.
Professor Kojima commented: “The results of this study confirm the anti-cancer properties of Kencur extract and its main active ingredient, EMC. TFAM is expected to become a new indicator for assessing anticancer effects as research in related fields continues to develop.”
Reference: “Kaempferia galanga L. extract and its main ingredient, ethyl p-methoxycinnamate, inhibit Ehrlich ascites tumor cell proliferation by suppressing TFAM expression.” Kojima-Yuasa, June 23, 2023, Helion.
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e17588
