Scientists have claimed to have detected anti-cancer properties in three traditional varieties of rice found in Chhattisgarh, India. A research has concluded that three medicinal varieties of rice – Gathwan, Maharaji and Laicha – have the ability to fight cancer, said scientist Deepak Sharma.<\/b><\/p>\n
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The research was conducted by the Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya (IGKV), Raipur and the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) Mumbai.<\/p>\n
These varieties were taken from the rice germplasm bank preserved in IGKV, said Sharma, principal scientist at the genetics and plant breeding department of the agriculture university.<\/p>\n
The three varieties of rice have properties to cure lungs and breast cancers without affecting normal cells, Sharma told PTI.<\/p>\n
Of them, Laicha has been found to be the most effective in preventing proliferation of cancer cells and destroying them, he said.<\/p>\n
Last year, IGKV, affiliated to the University Grants Commission, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with BARC for carrying out a range of research on various crops.<\/p>\n
As a part the agreement, a study is being carried out on these three varieties of rice under the guidance of V.P. Venugopalan, Associate Director, Bio Science Group, BARC and other scientists, he said.<\/p>\n
Sharma, who is also coordinator for researches being carried as a part of the MoU, said Gathwan, Maharaji and Laicha have been used for medicinal purpose in many pockets of the state, particularly in the tribal region of Bastar.<\/p>\n
Gathwan also has the property to cure arthritis.<\/p>\n
Similarly, Laicha has been used in treating skin-related problems by villagers in some areas, the scientist said.<\/p>\n
These varieties of rice also showed properties to prevent multiplication of cancer cells without affecting the normal cells, he said.<\/p>\n
Certain elements in these rice varieties not only prevented the multiplication of cancer cells but also destroyed them to a significant extent, he said.<\/p>\n
The research concluded that the necessary active ingredient can be achieved by consuming 200 gm of these varieties of rice daily by a person, he said.<\/p>\n
In the next stage of research, BARC scientists are trying to extract the anti-cancer ingredients or elements from these varieties and conduct trials on the mouse.<\/p>\n
Subsequently, they plan to develop it as dietary supplement which will be easy for consumption for people, he said.<\/p>\n
Describing the findings as a significant achievement, IGKV Vice-Chancellor S.K. Patil said very soon these three varieties of rice will be used in treatment of cancer.<\/p>\n
He said several research projects are underway to identify medicinal properties of Chhattisgarh\u2019s traditional varieties of rice preserved by late R.H. Richharia, a renowned researcher.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Scientists have claimed to have detected anti-cancer properties in three traditional varieties of rice found in Chhattisgarh, India. A research has concluded that three medicinal varieties of rice – Gathwan, Maharaji and Laicha – have the ability to fight cancer, said scientist Deepak Sharma. The research was conducted by the Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya (IGKV),…<\/p>\n