India's traditional toothbrush, the neem, has properties that can prevent oral cancer, scientists from the biochemistry and biotechnology department at Annamalai University in Chidambaram have found.

While neem's anti-cancer properties have been demonstrated several times by a number of researchers, scientists in Annamalai University demonstrated that a bio-active ingredient, nimbolide, activates a tumour suppressor protein called RECK (Reversion-inducing Cysteine-rich Protein with Kazal Motifs), which is found in all normal tissues but is low or absent in malignant tumours. The research, they hope, will help them drugs that improve survival rates and treatment outcomes in patients with oral cancer...............Read more

Source: The Times of India