Martha Careful
2 months ago

Scientists Discover Natural Compound That Stops Cancer Progression
By Oregon Health & Science University
March 3, 2025
https://scitechdaily.com/scientists-discover-natural-compound-that-stops-cancer-progression/ 

OHSU scientists, aided by University of Portland undergraduates, discovered that sulfuretin, a plant-derived compound, inhibits an enzyme linked to multiple sclerosis and cancer. The compound may help prevent myelin damage and slow cancer growth. This breakthrough, years in the making, paves the way for further research into sulfuretin’s therapeutic potential.

A discovery led by OHSU was made possible by years of study conducted by University of Portland undergraduates.

Scientists have discovered a natural compound that can halt a key process involved in the progression of certain cancers and demyelinating diseases—conditions that damage the protective myelin sheath surrounding neurons, such as multiple sclerosis (MS).

A study published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry identified a plant-derived flavonoid called sulfuretin as an inhibitor of an enzyme linked to both MS and cancer. The research, conducted in cell models at Oregon Health & Science University, demonstrated that sulfuretin effectively blocked the enzyme’s activity. The next phase of research will involve testing the compound in animal models to evaluate its therapeutic potential, effectiveness, and possible side effects in treating cancer and neurodegenerative diseases like MS.

A Potentially Wide-Reaching Treatment
“We think this is a drug that could have impact in a lot of different areas,” said Larry Sherman, Ph.D., professor in the Division of Neuroscience at OHSU’s Oregon National Primate Research Center.

The researchers found that sulfuretin, along with a pair of synthetic compounds that were also tested in live cells, inhibited the activity of a particular type of enzyme known as a hyaluronidase, which naturally degrades hyaluronic acid. That’s important because when hyaluronic acid is broken down into fragments, it is known to cause problems in at least two ways:

Forestalls myelin repair: It prevents the maturation of oligodendrocytes, which are cells that produce myelin. Myelin is the protective sheath covering each nerve cell’s axon — the threadlike portion of a cell that transmits electrical signals between cells. Damage to myelin is associated with MS, stroke, brain injuries, and certain forms of dementia. In addition, delay in myelination can affect infants born prematurely, leading to brain damage or cerebral palsy.
Allows cancer cells to proliferate: In cancerous tumors, hyaluronidase activity can allow cancer cells to proliferate unchecked by normal cellular death. “Now we have an inhibitor that could actually stop that,” said Sherman, who is also a professor of cell, developmental, and cancer biology in the OHSU School of Medicine.

The new research focuses on inhibiting a specific type of hyaluronidase known as cell migration-inducing and hyaluronan-binding protein, or CEMIP.

In addition to MS and cancer, CEMIP is implicated in a range of disorders, including osteoarthritis, skin infections, brain injury caused by heavy alcohol use, and possibly other neurodevelopment disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease. The study indicates its activity appears to be inhibited by sulfuretin.

Molecules in flowers
The discovery came after years of undergraduates painstakingly screening plant compounds in the lab of co-author Angela Hoffman, Ph.D., a longtime and now-retired professor of chemistry at the University of Portland.

“Over the years, her students have been grinding up these flowers, extracting molecules, and testing to see if any of them blocked hyaluronidase activity,” Sherman said. “Finally, a couple of years ago, they found a compound that was promising.”

Alec Peters, a graduate student in Sherman’s lab at OHSU, found that this compound blocked CEMIP activity in a tumor cell line and in oligodendrocyte progenitor cells. Oligodendrocytes generate myelin.

Hoffman, a nun and chemistry professor who earlier this year retired from the University of Portland after 35 years to lead her convent, began collaborating with Sherman a decade ago. Over that time, she said, hundreds of undergraduate students worked on breaking down dozens of plants to their molecular essence and then testing to see whether any of the compounds worked to neutralize CEMIP.

The new publication validates the students’ diligent work over many years, she said.

“Directing the students to be able to do this kind of research helps them in their careers,” Hoffman said. “This discovery could be useful for Alzheimer’s or other neurodegenerative conditions. As long as the underlying problem relates to hyaluronic acid being broken apart, this could be helpful for people.”

Neat!!! Promising!!!!
Go Packers!!!!
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Zero2Cool (8h) : beast, you're just one R from being voluptuous.
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beast (8h) : Supposedly Steelers will be trading WR George Pickens to the Cowboys for a 3rd and late round pick swap
Zero2Cool (5-May) : Ravens release Justin Tucker, err D. Watson Jr?
Zero2Cool (5-May) : Cardinals have signed TE Josiah Deguara.
Zero2Cool (5-May) : If I were to "Google" it, then I wouldn't read it in your words.
Martha Careful (5-May) : Yes, in the military S2’s work on IPB, PERCEC, PHYSEC and IO
dfosterf (4-May) : FYI civilian companies swipe the S2 designation from the military. S2 is the intelligence branch up to brigade level. G2 is division level.
dfosterf (4-May) : Google it. Make sure to tack NFL on it or you will get the military meaning
Zero2Cool (4-May) : S2?
beast (4-May) : Seems like the S2 has a love/hate relationship with professional scouts.
beast (4-May) : In theory, the S2 test how quickly a QBs brain can solve game like issues and how quickly they can do it.
dfosterf (4-May) : Are you gentlemen and at least one lady familiar with the S2 cognition
Zero2Cool (4-May) : Maybe there isn't an issue.
beast (4-May) : NFL really needs to fix their position labeling issue, but I don't think they care
Zero2Cool (1-May) : Packers did not activate the fifth-year options for linebacker Quay Walker, with the goal of signing him to a contract extension.
Zero2Cool (1-May) : Matthew Golden spoke with Randall Cobb before draft. Looked like chance encounter.
packerfanoutwest (1-May) : from a head left turn?
packerfanoutwest (1-May) : someone drunk?
Zero2Cool (1-May) : Unlikely.
dfosterf (30-Apr) : How long until Jeff Sperbeck's family sues John Elway ?
Zero2Cool (30-Apr) : Packers are exercising the fifth-year option on DT Devonte Wyatt, locking in a guaranteed $12.9M for the 2026 season.
beast (30-Apr) : Sounds like P Luke Elzinga has a rookie try out opportunity from the Titans
dfosterf (30-Apr) : Luke Elzinga Punter Oklahoma stil unsigned. Green Bay has been mentioned as good fit
beast (30-Apr) : The Packers re-signed three exclusive rights free agents WR Melton, P Whelan and RB Wilson.
Zero2Cool (29-Apr) : February 5, 2002 (age 23) ok no. packers.com is wrong
Zero2Cool (29-Apr) : Micah Robinson is only 19??
Zero2Cool (29-Apr) : 6 first rounders on Packers defense now
Zero2Cool (29-Apr) : LB Isaiah Simmons. Signed. Called it!!! Oh yeah!
Martha Careful (29-Apr) : ty bboystyle...fat fingers
bboystyle (29-Apr) : Tom*
Martha Careful (28-Apr) : RIP Packer Safety Tim Brown
beast (27-Apr) : Yeah, but also some of the wording suggestions Jax only pranked called the QB, not the others... and if he had an open spreadsheet & 3 calls
beast (27-Apr) : Thank goodness he's not leaving the Turtle in the Red Tide
Mucky Tundra (27-Apr) : Cowboys 1st round pick Tyler Booker will indeed be bringing his pet turtle to Dallas with him
Mucky Tundra (27-Apr) : that contained all prospects info and contact
Mucky Tundra (27-Apr) : beast, according the Falcons statement Jax came across it on an ipad. If I had to guess, probably an open spread sheet or something
Zero2Cool (27-Apr) : Simmons put up an emoji with cheese.
beast (27-Apr) : Not sure anyone is interested in Isaiah Simmons... Collin Oliver might of taken his potential slot
beast (27-Apr) : I'm going with Jax Ulbrich is not telling the whole truth... he accidentally came across it? Why would a defensive coordinator have a QB #?
Zero2Cool (27-Apr) : He's not that great, but final piece of the script.\
Zero2Cool (27-Apr) : If we add Isaiah Simmons, book your Super Bowl tickets
Mucky Tundra (27-Apr) : Colts 1st round TE Tyler Warren also got prank called, was that Jax Ulbrich as well?
Zero2Cool (27-Apr) : Jax Ulbrich, Jeff Ulbrich’s son, released an apology for his role in the Shedeur Sanders prank call.
Martha Careful (27-Apr) : apparently he did not participate in practice or play on the east west shrine game nor the NFL combine. The kid was a mediocre spoiled brat
Mucky Tundra (27-Apr) : Yeah that one that was a super wounded duck that Sanders supporters are highlighting to prove a point
Zero2Cool (27-Apr) : Shough is the guy who missed guys at combine isn't he?
beast (27-Apr) : It's not official until I'm dead! I have a chance still! (Not really)
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