By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Nov 10: In a path-breaking study, researchers from Nagaland University and Assam Down Town University carried out the first comprehensive scientific study on the anticancer properties of Goniothalamus simonsii, an endangered and endemic medicinal plant found in Meghalaya’s forests.
Long used by indigenous communities to treat gastrointestinal complications, throat irritation, typhoid fever, and malaria, this plant had never before been studied for its scientific or pharmacological potential.
The study provides scientific validation for the plant’s traditional use and reveals that G. simonsii is a rich source of bioactive phytochemicals with potent antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anticancer activities.
Using advanced analytical tools and computational modelling, the team demonstrated how natural compounds from this species interact with cancer-related proteins, offering valuable leads for the development of new, nature-based therapeutic drugs.
The findings were published in October 2025 in Chemistry and Biodiversity, a peer-reviewed journal publishing research on the chemical aspects of biological diversity, including natural products, chemical ecology, and molecular studies of living organisms.
The research paper was co-authored by Dr. Mayur Mausoom Phukan, faculty, Nagaland University, with his student, Samson Rosly Sangma, Dr. Dhrubajyoti Gogoi, Assistant Professor, Department of Biotechnology, Assam Down Town University; Dr. Pranay Punj Pankaj, Associate Professor, Department of Zoology, Nagaland University; and Vahshi Chongloi, Research Scholar, Department of Forestry, Nagaland University.
Elaborating on their research, Dr. Mayur Phukan said, “This study bridges traditional knowledge with modern science at a crucial time when antibiotic resistance, chronic illnesses, and the side effects of synthetic drugs continue to strain healthcare systems. Our findings reaffirm that India’s rich biodiversity holds untapped potential for modern drug discovery. Goniothalamus simonsii not only offers pharmacological promise but also underscores the urgent need to conserve such endangered species.”
The study identified multiple bioactive compounds that exhibit promising biological properties, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, and anticancer effects.
Notably, extracts from different parts of G. simonsii showed strong antiproliferative activity against colon cancer cells in laboratory tests, suggesting its potential as a natural source of anticancer agents.
Highlighting the unique aspects of this research, Samson Sangma said, “What makes this research particularly significant is that Goniothalamus simonsii is an exceptionally rare species, with its population declining alarmingly and now confined to only a few natural habitats. This decline is largely attributed to the limited awareness of its medicinal importance among local communities. Listed as ‘Endangered’ by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), this remarkable plant now faces an urgent need for focused conservation efforts. By generating robust scientific data, we hope that our work will encourage conservation and cultivation initiatives for this rare plant, ensuring its sustainable use and protection in the wild.”
