The cancer bush can also be used to treat tuberculosis

The cancer bush (Sutherlandia frutescens) has been used traditionally as a treatment for tuberculosis (TB). In a study published in BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, researchers examined the plant’s potential as a novel medicine for TB and uncovered the active ingredient responsible for this effect.

• To avoid the possibility of Mycobacterium tuberculosis building cross-resistance, scientists are looking to target some of the bacterium’s specific enzymes which, when inhibited, will have a negative impact on its survival and development. The shikimate kinase, the fifth enzyme in the shikimate biosynthetic pathway in M. tuberculosis, is one of the candidates for drug targets.
• The took dried and ground cancer bush and extracted it using ethanol, dichloromethane: methanol (DCM: MeOH), and water. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to isolate active compounds. To determine the extracts’ activity against shikimate kinase (MtbSK), the researchers used a MtbSK inhibition assay.
• The DCM: MeOH (1:1) extract showed the greatest percentage of inhibition of MtbSK, brought about by an alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) compound.

The authors concluded that cancer bush extracts can be a source of medicine for TB because of the ability of its ALA content to inhibit shikimate kinase.

Read the full text of the study at this link.

Learn how to naturally treat diseases like TB at Cures.news.

Journal Reference:

Masoko P, Mabusa IH, Howard RL. ISOLATION OF ALPHA-LINOLENIC ACID FROM SUTHERLANDIA FRUTESCENS AND ITS INHIBITION OF MYCOBACTERIUM TUBERCULOSIS’ SHIKIMATE KINASE ENZYME. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2016;16(1). DOI: 10.1186/s12906-016-1344-1