Students Cured Cancer in Rat; LIPI Says Further Studies Required
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14 August 2019 19:20 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) responded to research conducted by three students of Palangkaraya Senior High School SMAN 2, Central Kalimantan about a rare native plant named Bajakah that can be used to cure cancer in rats.
The study is reportedly won an international competition of Life Science in Seoul, South Korea, on July 25.
LIPI researcher Ahmad Fathoni expressed that he was proud of the students’ achievement that spreads the good name of Indonesia to the global eye.
“It is informed that Bajakah can heal tumor or cancer because of its active compound of high antioxidants as an antidote of free radicals,” Fathoni told Tempo via a short message, Wednesday, August 14.
However, Fathoni added, further identification related to the scientific name is necessary to maintain its sustainability, as well as the isolation of the active compound to obtain a more effective cure.
“We are also proud and grateful that our nation is rich in useful biological resources that have been used by locals as hereditary traditional medicine,” he said, underlining that medicine for humans must fulfill safety and beneficial aspects and have standardized quality.
According to Fatoni, cancer or tumor cure requires preclinical test up to a clinical test. So its grade as traditional medicine or jamu can be enhanced as standardized herbal medicine or phytopharmaca.
The preclinical test may last for several years to examine its pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, pharmaceutics, and effects on laboratory animals before testing it on humans.
“While the clinic test must have through five phases. And what’s also important is to prevent mass exploitation of the plant because of its extraordinary advantages,” Fathoni stressed.
Therefore, other than further study on Bajakah as a cancer cure to assure its safety and high quality, it also requires a joint effort to preserve plant sustainability.
MOH KHORY ALFARIZI