THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, 18 August 2007 — Scientists at the Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) have isolated an effective gene to beat carcinogenic substances (chemo-preventive) in njavara rice.
Molecular studies revealed the presence of Bowman-Brik Inhibitor (BBI) protein, which has an effective anticancer property, in the state’s own medicinal rice and it is effective especially against breast cancer, they claimed.
“Since the gene is already been patented in the case of sunflower barley and soybeans, we’ve to explore a new tool to identify the njavara protein before getting it patented,” KAU Vice Chancellor K. R. Viswambharan said.
Grown mainly in Wayanad and Palakkad districts njavara (oryza sativa) is traditionally used in Ayurveda, the Indian system of medicine and herbal healers say it carries rich medicinal properties to treat neurological disorders to lifestyle maladies. In traditional rejuvenation therapy, popular among foreign holidaymakers visiting Kerala, it is used extensively. Njavara kizhi and njavara kanji (gruel) are popular.
“For the last one-and a-half years we have been studying the specific chemical substance and genetic properties which gave therapeutic value to the gifted rice. The sequenced part of the gene shows about 94 percent identity with the BBI protein,” Dr. D. Alexander, director of KAU research wing, said.
Certain protease inhibitors like BBI are found to be effective at preventing or suppressing carcinogen-induced transformation in the study conducted at the College of Horticulture in Thrissur as part of the postgraduate research program of Shareesh Nalpadi.
It is also known to possess anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic properties in animals and is reported to be capable of imparting resistance to fungal pathogens and pests in crops.
“This is the first report of the gene fragment in Indica rice (common rice varieties of the country). Once clinically developed it will be a big boon for cancer patients,” claimed Dr Alexander.
Traditionally njavara is used in Ayurveda for treatment of neurological disorders, rheumatism, arthritis and emaciation of limbs while the porridge of njavara grains in milk is prescribed as special food for invalids and infants.
According to scientists there are around 100,000 varieties of rice in the world, of which 40 percent are still unidentified. Njavara is one among them. But of late farmers have identified the gifted rice and started cultivating it in large tracts of land.
Recently a young farmer in Palakkad, Narayanan Unni, got the maiden organic certification for njavara cultivation. He is also hosting a website http://njavara.org.
According to him, njavara has been used in Ayurveda treatment from the age of Charaka BC 600 and it is prescribed as a health food for people of all ages.
The farmers speak about njavara as “gold with fragrance” because if he has a stock of the seeds with him, he could earn good price in any season. It requires just 60 days for growing and maturing.
