British researchers have discovered the mechanism through which a wild mushroom-based drug can treat a wide range of cancers, PressTV reportd
Cordycepin, commonly used in Chinese medicine, was originally extracted from cordyceps -- a rare kind of parasitic mushroom that grows on caterpillars.
The drug has shown promising results in treating different types of cancers. Its use, however, is limited due to the fact that it degrades quickly in the body.
According to a study published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry, cordycepin acts through inhibiting the growth of rapidly spreading cancer tumors.
The drug is believed to inhibit the uncontrolled growth and division of cancerous cells in two different ways. While at low-doses cordycepin interferes with the production of mRNA, its high doses prevents cells from sticking together, the study found.
Scientists hope their findings will help develop new cancer drugs that work on the same principle.
"With this knowledge, it will be possible to predict what types of cancers might be sensitive and what other cancer drugs it may effectively combine with. It could also lay the groundwork for the design of new cancer drugs that work on the same principle," added lead researcher Cornelia de Moor.