Cancer is a major health problem worldwide and agents derived from plants are part of the arsenal of treatments.  Some plant derived agents are taxol (originally derived from yew trees) and vinblastine (from Madagascar periwinkle).  We are currently investigating the activity of extracts from Hibiscus, and peppers.  The later is in collaboration with breeding and plant genomics research by Drs. Padma Nimmakayala and Umesh Reddy.

Hibiscus sabdriffa is one of the highest volume specialty botanical products in international commerce with most H. sabdariffa plant products in current commerce coming from Africa.  Previous research has indicated that H. sabdariffa possesses medicinal properties due to the presence of a diverse range of phytochemicals that act as antioxidants to remove harmful free radicals from human body. Extracts from red and dark red calyces (the structures that provide a protective cover around the flower bud) are used to produce refreshing drinks while leaves and green calyces are used for vegetable stew.  In traditional medicine, H. sabdariffa has been taken internally for the treatment of various forms of digestive problems, along with scurvy, anxiety and fevers.  H. sabdariffa calyces are a rich source of compounds that can act as antioxidants and play important roles in preventing chronic illnesses such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and atherosclerosis.  Very limited information is available about the variation in antioxidant potential and phytochemical profile of different varieties of Hibiscus sabdariffa.  Using cancer cells in culture, we have demonstrated the greater growth inhibitory effects of extracts from dark red and pink H. sabdariffa and that much of the activity resides in an anthocyanin-enriched fraction. 

For more information, please contact:

Gerald R. Hankins, Ph.D.  (Bio)

ghankins@wvstateu.edu