The humble kesum plant, Polygonum minus, already known to slow the aging process and inhibit age-related diseases, may even have anti-cancer properties. A team of scientists from the Institute of Systems Biology (INBIOSIS) of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) led by Dr. Syarul Nataqain Baharum said their research is at a stage where a compound thought to have the relevant trait has been isolated and they named it Polygonum minus C3 (PMC-3).

The PMC-3 compound was extracted from kesum through fractionation and chromatography. A nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) was subsequently done to determine its structure and properties.

According to NMR data, PMC-3 is similar to another anti-cancer agent vanicoside D with a slight difference as it has one acetyl unit (COCH3) more than vanicoside D. Kesum has traditionally been used by the Malays in the treatment of digestive disorders and stomach pain.

Kesum leaves are consumed as ulam (raw medicinal plants consumed shrimp chilly paste during the daily meals) for preventive health care. Several researchers have reported that it contains a high level of antioxidants, as well as flavonoid and phenolic compounds which contain several bioactive properties.

For more information go to http://www.ukm.my/news/index.php/en/component/content/article/66-current-research-news/1091-kesum-may-have-anti-cancer-properties-ukm-study-shows.html.