Scientists Turn Traditional Chinese Medicinal Plant into Phaeocaulisin A, a Compound Effective Against Breast Cancer Cells

Curcuma phaeolcaulis, a member of the ginger family, has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for hundreds of years. (Wagner Campelo / Alamy Stock Photo) via Emory University

Researchers at Emory University have developed a new way to make phaeocaulisin A, a compound found in the plant Curcuma phaeocaulis, which has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries .

Lab tests showed that phaeocaulisin A can slow the growth of HER2-positive and triple-negative breast cancer cells. An altered version of the compound worked even better, showing the potential to improve treatment effectiveness .

The research team, led by Professors Mingji Dai and Yong Wan, plans to continue testing the compound in animals to see if it could become a future cancer therapy. The chemical method they invented could also help scientists make other complex molecules for new drugs .

This study highlights how combining traditional plant knowledge with modern chemistry can lead to promising new medical discoveries .

Reference: Emory University. (2025, February 10). Researchers create plant-derived compound with potential against breast cancer. Emory News Center. Retrieved October 16, 2025, from https://news.emory.edu/features/2025/02/esc_plant_extract_10-02-2025/index.html