Researchers Discover Potential Cancer-Fighting Compound in Pacific Northwest Dahlias.
Portland, Ore. (KOIN) — Dahlias, known for brightening the Pacific Northwest’s rainy days, may now also hold a new weapon against cancer and other serious illnesses. Recent research by Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) and the University of Portland has uncovered a promising compound within these vibrant flowers.
Dr. Larry Sherman, a professor of neuroscience at OHSU’s Oregon National Primate Research Center, and Dr. Angela Hoffman, a retired chemistry professor and nun from the University of Portland, co-authored a study on this discovery, recently published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry.
“It’s like solving a puzzle,” Sherman shared, expressing his excitement about how this finding could lead to breakthroughs in treating cancer and neurodegenerative diseases.
Hoffman echoed the thrill of the research, saying, “That’s the coolest part of doing ‘I-don’t-know-what’s-going-to-happen-next’ research, and that’s the kind I like.”
Hoffman and her students spent years studying the pigments of yellow and orange dahlias, eventually identifying a compound called sulfuretin. This compound shows promise in blocking a process involved in cancer cell growth and nerve repair impairment, potentially aiding in the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS), cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, and other conditions.
When inflammation triggers the production of a protein called CEMIP, it leads to the breakdown of hyaluronic acid, a substance crucial for nerve repair. This breakdown not only hinders nerve repair in diseases like MS but also supports cancer cell growth. Sulfuretin, however, blocks CEMIP, which could improve nerve repair and limit cancer progression.
Sherman noted the team’s next steps include animal testing to understand sulfuretin’s effects more deeply. “If we can do anything to help that group of patients in any way, it would be just amazing,” he said.
Both Hoffman and Sherman emphasized that while dahlias are beautiful, they are not for consumption. The focus is on sulfuretin, a specific compound extracted from the flower, which researchers hope to develop into a viable drug for medical treatment.
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