Cancer Fighting Molecules

While I was clicking around the internet, I found a interesting article describing a recent discovery about cancer fighting molecules. Scientists at the University of British Columbia Okanagan decoded how plants produce mitraphylline, a rare molecule with anti cancer properties.

Mitraphylline is a spirooxindole alkaloid, a family of compounds that are known for their twisted ring like structures and anti tumor and anti inflammatory effects. Until recently, the mechanics behind these structures were a mystery. This was until Tuan-Anh Nguyen, building off Dr.Thu Thuy Dang’s team’s research identified 2 key enzymes that work together. One that sets the molecules framework, and the other delivers the twist in the structure to form the compound. With the special twisted ring shape, Mitraphylline interferes with cancer cells’ signalling pathways, which can slow or even entirely stop their growth.

Trace amounts of mitraphylline can be found in tropical trees like Mitragyna and Uncaria, which are related to the coffee family. However, since this compound is so rare, producing them in large quantities was a challenge, but now that we know how plants create this compound, we could synthesis these molecules in a lab leading to a new way of treating cancer while also understanding the potency of this compound better.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251009033206.htm