A team of researchers at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS) has identified a local plant extract with potent anti-cancer properties, showing particular effectiveness against glioblastoma multiforme, one of the deadliest brain cancers.
Dr Amina Jega, recognised as UDUS’s Best Female STEM Researcher in 2023, said initial screenings in the United States revealed the extract’s ability to destroy cancer cell lines. Further tests showed activity against leukaemia, cervical cancer, and breast cancer. “We screened the plant against different types of cancers, and the results were auspicious,” she said.
The project, funded by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), has isolated the active compounds responsible for the anti-cancer effects and completed preliminary safety tests in animals, which indicated moderate safety. Human trials have not yet begun.
Lead researcher Prof. Musa Abdullahi acknowledged challenges in gaining international attention but stressed the discovery’s potential. “This plant may travel from the soils of Nigeria to save lives across the world,” he said.
If further studies confirm its efficacy, the extract could offer a more affordable, natural treatment option for cancer, particularly in regions where advanced therapies remain inaccessible.
Leave feedback about this