Raipur (Chhattisgarh) [India]: A new plant-based, cost-effective, and side-effect-free medicine for the treatment of oral cancer is set to be available soon, thanks to extensive research being conducted by professors and scholars at Pt Ravishankar Shukla University (PRSU) in Raipur, Chhattisgarh.
Keshav Kant Sahu, Head of the Biotechnology Department at PRSU, stated that the team is focused on targeted cancer treatment. He explained that current treatments like chemotherapy and conventional medicines kill cancer cells but also damage surrounding healthy cells, adversely affecting metabolism and the body.
“Keeping these facts in mind, we have started work on the development of a new formulation for the treatment of oral cancer. We are developing a ‘Nanoliposome’ formulation that will be in the form of a patch. The Nanoliposome patch will not be carrying synthetic drugs; instead, plant-based medicine will be used,” Sahu said.
If successful, this new treatment could make targeted oral cancer therapy possible. Sahu emphasized that the formulation would be cost-effective and have no side effects, making it a safer alternative to current treatments.
The research is still in its early stages, but the team has already made significant progress in preparing liposomes, Sahu informed. He expressed optimism that the final product would offer superior benefits compared to existing synthetic drugs, ensuring faster recovery for patients without adverse effects.
The treatment will be effective for all types of oral cancer, Sahu added.
Poulami Bera, a research scholar involved in the project, explained that a three-member team—including Keshav Kant Sahu and Dr. Manju Singh—is working on a Mucoadhesive patch. This patch, infused with plant-based medicine, will be applied directly to the cancer site. Upon contact, it will adhere to the targeted area and release medication gradually over a period of six hours.
According to available statistics, around 19 million new cases of oral cancer are detected globally every year, resulting in 11 million deaths. In India alone, 11 million new cases are reported annually, leading to 3 million fatalities, Sahu highlighted.
The development of this plant-based, side-effect-free treatment could revolutionize oral cancer therapy by making it safer, more accessible, and affordable for patients worldwide.