Download Hybridizing Adaptogenic Plants: Development of a Super Plant That

Hybridizing Adaptogenic Plants:
Development of a Super Plant That Will Cure Cancer
Gregory Konar
Massachusetts Academy of Math and Science
Over the course of a woman’s lifetime, the probability that she will develop invasive
breast cancer during her life is approximately 12.5%, or 1 in every 8 women. When a woman
experiences a point mutation in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes, the chance of breast cancer goes
up to 80%. This resulted in 237,000 new cases in 2011 alone, with 40,000 of those cases
becoming fatal. (“Breast Cancer Statistics,” 2012) Every day, researchers are making valiant
attempts to induce cellular death in carcinogenic cells by creating a new super-drug, but so far
they have not succeeded. What scientists have not realized is that the answer to triggering
malignant cell death or stopping cellular mutations could involve genetically engineering a super
plant that is based on adaptogens. These plants are not currently being tested on to a great extent
within the realm of cancer treatment, but they deserve to receive a thorough testing process
because of their great potential. These biological wonders synthesize many compounds that have
produced extremely positive results when tested against cancer cell lines and other malignancies.
Adaptogens, which are classified as plants that are able to maintain a physiological norm
under conditions of biological, chemical, or physical stress, contain specific groups of
compounds that can be isolated for potential medicinal improvements. In trials performed by Dr.
Sallie Schneider, Rhodiola rosea root extract (a common adaptogen) was shown to decrease the
chance of a BRCA point mutation through deactivation of certain etiological pathways. This is
extremely important for survival rates of breast cancer patients. The plants acquire their
adaptogenic properties because they perform many different processes in the body which include
cyclooxygenase-2 inhibition, radioprotection, and secretion of T-regulator cells; all of these
progressions either aid the normal tissue cells or attack the malignant ones (Schneider, 2010).
Some examples of adaptogenic plants include Rhodiola rosea, Panax ginseng, and Glycyrrhiza
glabra; each of these species grows at elevations of about 4500 feet in regions of Siberia and
Tibet.
Currently there has been only a minute amount of research performed on the
chromatography and fractionation of these plants (which separate the active components from
the plants in order to be further analyzed); however, the research that has been accomplished
already has discovered several beneficial groups of compounds that all potentially play a role in
cancer cell death in the future. These groups include phenylpropanoids, phenylethanol
derivatives, flavonoids, mono/triterpernes, and phenolic acids (Brown, 2002). These groups all
contain compounds that are anti-inflammatory, anxiolytic, anti-fungal, anti-microbial, and anticarcinogenic by nature. In order for this super plant to be engineered, only the most potent and
prevalent of the compounds should be genetically transferred. This means that the compounds
that need to be focused on include kaempferol, salidroside, rosavin, beta-sitorserol, and gallic
acid. These compounds discovered through research are believed to be what gives the plants
their qualities.
The process of genetically engineering a super plant starts with the seed because that
small kernel will one day become the plant that will produce the cure for malignancies. In order
for the proper genes to be isolated in preparation for insertion into a different host cell, the
scientists first need to recognize the genetic code that is unique to each of the targeted
compounds. In order to isolate the genetic material, the researchers first have to grind up some
seeds and then run the powder through a device that uses genomic-mapping to determine the
genes that are the target ones. The type of machine that is being referenced is called an Ion
Proton Sequencer, and is currently in use today (Weir, 2010). This sequencer knows which genes
to look for, and isolates them in preparation for insertion. The method for insertion will be a
form of biolistics, meaning that a gene gun will be used; this shoots the DNA strand wrapped in
a heavy metal into the new organism. This process is simple and can be done with virtually any
protein, as long as it has been isolated previously (Boyle, n.d.).
Once the proteins have been shot into the genetically engineered seed, it needs to be
planted in a climate that is suitable for adaptogenic plant growth. Optimal conditions must be
achieved in order for the plant to grow to its full potential, which can take 3-10 years (Brown,
2002). Once the plant has grown to the point of harvesting, researchers will be able to harvest the
alleles from the plant’s roots and grow them quickly in yeast of E-coli. The alleles will be
specifically selected in order for the resulting plant to provide the best results for treating
carcinogenic and auto-immune diseases. The remainder of the plant roots can subsequently be
ground up and suspended in a hydro-alcoholic solution of ethanol and stored until it is needed
(Konar, 2012). The application of this solution is possible either through dilution followed by
intravenous drip, or through oral intake.
Unlimited resources allow this straightforward process to become mass produced and
available for the entire world to use. The easiest way of making this super plant available to
everyone is to start by growing mass quantities of the plant under ideal growing conditions inside
temperature controlled greenhouses. After the plant matures and reaches maximum potency, its
roots can be harvested and ground into a powder. This powder can then either be put into gel
capsules or placed into tea packets for shipment all over the world. Physicians and medical
people can pass out the pills or packets to the inhabitants of the community, and instruct them on
how to ingest the extract safely. If everyone listens to his/her leader and ingests the extract
properly, then his/her chance of developing breast cancer will decrease greatly. This plant will be
beneficial to not only a few people, but also to every person in the world, and this will make a
huge difference in everyday life.
Literature Cited
Boyle, R. (n.d.). How To Genetically Modify a Seed, Step By Step | Popular Science. Popular
Science | New Technology, Science News, The Future Now. Retrieved October 11, 2012,
from http://www.popsci.com/
Breast Cancer Statistics. (2012). U.S Breast Cancer Statistics. Breastcancer.org. Retrieved
October 20, 2012, from http://www.breastcancer.org
Brown, R. (2002). Rhodiola rosea: A Phytomedicinal Overview. Herbalgram, 56, 40-52.
Konar, G, Aquila, A, and Brooks, C. "The effects of Rhodiola crenulata root extract on SKOV-3
cells." MHS Science Fair Projects 1.1 (2012): 1-13. Print.
Panax Ginseng. (2009). Alternative Medical Review, 14(2), 172.
Weir, W. (2010). A machine that can map a human genome for $1,000. Hartford Courant.
Retrieved November 2, 2012, from http://articles.courant.com/2012-01-10/health