A group of scientists from the Institute of Bioresource and Sustainable Development (IBSD) have collected specimens of a locally grown herb, know as ‘Ranlung Damdawi’ which, it has been claimed, has properties to cure cancer. The herb, which was being used by a local healer of Saikot village in Churachandpur district, was identified as Croton Caudatus Geiseler, a variety of Euphordiaceae plant by the Botanical Survey of India, Shillong. Reports from the Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, indicates that the herb contains the particular ingredients of ‘Datriacontanom beta amyrine’ and ‘Beta sitosterat’ at its barks and stems which are used in treatment of ailments related to cancer.

However, IBSD team is yet to ascertain the medicinal value of the herb and its reported curative properties and the said analysis would take about 45 days. Interestingly, with the plant becoming popular, many vendors and shops have also started preparing the portion from the herb with the traditional hand pounding method and selling them in plastic bottles. Given the demand for the herb, it could become extinct if it is continued to be exploited without proper replantation. Considering the importance of the herb it is imperative that the intellectual property rights for the herb be sorted out as quickly as possible before the herb is exploited by others.

The project shows potential to be a success story similar to the remarkable venture of material transfer and benefit sharing that was seen in the case of the development of Jeevani drug. The Kani tribals knew of a wild plant which contained immunity-enhancing, liver-protecting and primarily anti-fatigue qualities. The Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute (TBGRI), built on the Kani traditional knowledge, a drug known as Jeevani having the same qualities. Subsequently, TBGRI secured a patent for Jeevani in partnership with the Kani tribe in order to share the benefits of the sale of the drug. This benefit-sharing model was the result of years of effort by the Kanis, scientists in Kerala, and the state government. If the scientists can ascertain its usefulness in curing cancer and other ailments, a similar undertaking can be initiated in the present case as well.