New Species Plant from Assam can help Fight Anti-Cancer Battle

In recent news, a new species of plant from Assam have gained the attention of many, it may be potential anticancer. If this happens to be true, it would be a great breakthrough for India and the world at large, where Cancer happens to be the second leading cause of deaths.
Researchers are Excited
Assam’s Bodoland University researchers are excited that they have found a new plant species, which might help fight cancer in near future.
Where it was found?
This new species has been found in Central Assam’s Dima Hasao District, 675 metres above mean sea level. This plant has been categorized under the Rubiaceae family of flowering plants.
What is the name of the plant?
The species is named Ophiorrhiza recurvipetala. The meaning of recurvipetala, petals curved back. A perennial Herb-Height and flower color
A perennial Herb-Height and flower color
The above new plant species is a perennial herb, it reaches maximum height of 60 cm and has branches. It produces a creamy white flower.
Potential Anti-Cancer Properties
According to Sanjib Baruah, an Assistant Professor. Working in Botany Department at Bodoland University stated that this plant might contain potential anticancer properties. Entire members of this group do have a secondary metabolite referred as Camptothecin used in Colon cancer.
Can be promising Medicinal Plant for the Region
They need is now to find the Camptothecin content occurring in this species. In the near future, there exists a possibility to cultivate the above species as a medicinal plant for the northeast region. Its Agro technology is still not yet known.
New plants growth is restricted to this specific area
The researchers were looking for a few plants on a wooded mound by spending some months in hilly areas of Haflong as well as Jatinga in Dima Hasao district. But they found that, this new species is restricted to specific area, it only grows in moist shady places.
Predominantly herbaceous Genus
The above species are predominantly herbaceous genus distributed starting from Eastern India to the West Pacific from South China to Northern Australia.
Notably Species Rich & Taxonomically Complicated Genus
As per 2017, World Checklist for Selected Plant Families, the above plant has above characteristics with nearing to 318 species worldwide.
In India-Varieties found
In our nation, about 47 species as well as 9 varieties have been found as well as recorded and nearing to 21 species and 1 variety is found in northeastern region alone.