Researchers at the University of British Columbia Okanagan have unveiled the biological process by which certain tropical plants produce mitraphylline, a rare natural compound with potential anti-cancer properties.

Mitraphylline belongs to the spirooxindole alkaloid class, known for their complex twisted structures and significant biological activity, including anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor effects.

The team identified two key enzymes that orchestrate the molecule’s formation: one shapes the compound into its three-dimensional spiro structure, while the other completes its conversion into mitraphylline.Previously, the scarcity of this compound in plants like kratom and cat's claw made laboratory production difficult and unsustainable.

This discovery opens the door to producing mitraphylline and related compounds in a more environmentally friendly way, potentially accelerating pharmaceutical research and drug development.The study was led by Dr.Thu-Thuy Dang and doctoral student Tuan-Anh Nguyen, with international collaboration from the University of Florida.

The work was supported by multiple funding agencies from Canada and the United States, demonstrating the global significance of understanding plant biosynthetic pathways for medicinal purposes.Researchers now aim to adapt these enzymatic tools to synthesize a broader range of therapeutic compounds.