Turmeric, ashwagandha, and over 500 other medicinal plants are being studied for their potential in fighting cancer at the Tata Memorial Centre (TMC) in Mumbai. TMC is in the process of establishing a farm and a 100-bed hospital-cum-research facility in Khopoli, near Mumbai, where these plants will be grown and tested for their efficacy in cancer treatment.
The idea of using medicinal plants for cancer treatment emerged in February 2018 when Dr. Vikram Gota, the professor and head of clinical pharmacology at TMC’s Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research & Education in Cancer (ACTREC), conducted experiments with ashwagandha. Dr. Gota’s research showed that an active compound derived from ashwagandha called withaferin-A had the potential to reduce mortality among bone marrow transplant patients by 50%. This breakthrough led TMC to explore the cancer-fighting properties of other medicinal plants, eventually leading to the establishment of the Integrative Center for Treatment, Research, and Education in Cancer (ICTREC) in Khopoli, with an investment of Rs 300 crore.
Since then, Dr. Gota and his team have made significant progress, presenting scientific papers that suggest turmeric and ashwagandha could be potent anti-cancer agents. Turmeric, known for its anti-inflammatory properties, has also exhibited anti-proliferative (inhibiting cell growth) and immunomodulatory (modifying the immune system’s response) qualities.
The Maharashtra government has provided a 20-acre land in Khopoli, while the Department of Atomic Energy, TMC’s governing authority, has allocated funds for the establishment of ICTREC. This initiative will make TMC the first cancer hospital in India to cultivate and conserve medicinal plants with potential benefits in cancer care. The facility, expected to be operational by 2026, will offer standard cancer treatments such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy alongside the cultivation of over 500 plants, some of which require climate control.
ICTREC will collaborate with various research institutions, including the Central Ayurvedic Clinical Research Institute for Cancer (CARIC), Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research in Jammu, Agharkar Research Institute in Pune, Podar Ayurvedic Hospital in Mumbai, IIT Bombay, Banaras Hindu University, and others that are already conducting research on Ayurveda and cancer treatment.
However, the pursuit of traditional medicinal knowledge in cancer treatment has faced criticism for lacking evidence-based practices. Dr. Cyric Abby Philips, a senior consultant in clinical and translational hepatology, has expressed reservations, stating that the level of evidence available in published medical literature does not justify the utilization of traditional medicinal plants to address post-cancer treatment complications or strengthen patients’ immunity affected by treatments like chemotherapy and radiation.
On the other hand, Dr. Meghal Sanghavi, a senior surgical oncologist at Wockhardt Hospital in Mumbai, appreciates TMC’s approach of conducting trials before advocating Ayurveda, expressing confidence in the thorough research that will precede implementation.
Dr. Shripad Banavali, Director of Academics at TMC, emphasized that they are not rushing to prove anyone wrong or right and mentioned the considerable international interest in their work. Dr. Banavali highlighted the aspiration to collaborate with global cancer treatment centers for long-term research on medicinal plants.
TMC’s journey with ashwagandha is not over yet. Dr. Gota plans to conduct the second phase of trials to validate his findings, which showed a potential 50% reduction in mortality among bone marrow transplant cases.
While skepticism remains regarding the efficacy of traditional medicinal plants in cancer treatment, TMC’s ICTREC is dedicated to subjecting traditional medicinal knowledge to rigorous testing and trials to develop efficacious drugs derived from medicinal plants.
In conclusion, TMC’s pursuit of exploring the cancer-fighting potential of medicinal plants like ashwagandha and turmeric has gained momentum. With the establishment of ICTREC in Khopoli, TMC aims to conduct comprehensive research and trials to determine the therapeutic effectiveness of these plants. The collaboration with various research institutions and the interest of global cancer treatment centers highlights the significance and potential of this endeavor. While skeptics argue for the need for more conclusive evidence, others believe that thorough research will eventually substantiate the use of medicinal plants in cancer treatment.
