New Compound from Tree Shows Promise Against Leukemia

A new compound Silvestrol, extracted from Aglaia foveolata tree, found in Sarawak's highlands has shown positive results in fight against leukemia. The compound has entered pre-clinical trials. The compound comes from the Aglaia foveolata tree, found in Sarawak's highlands, and has entered pre-clinical trials.

Scientists at the Sarawak Biodiversity Centre (SBC), which owns the intellectual property rights to the plant, say that the experiments found an extracted compound called Silvestrol offered benefits not found in other cancer-fighting drugs.

"First, it seems to inhibit leukemia growth compared with controlled tests performed on mice. Second, the tests show that it seems to bypass drug resistance," the Star Online quoted Dr Yeo Tiong Chia, senior research officer at the center, as saying.

Dr Yeo, a graduate of the Washington University in immunology, said he was confident of the compound's potential. (ANI)

Source-ANI