Herbal Aglaia elliptica Blume is less popular than the Pomegranate and China’s girlfriend, although all three are related in the genus Aglaia. In fact, if viewed properties, potential Aglaia Elliptica Blume developed a breast cancer drug.

Aglaia elliptica Blume is a plant of the genus Aglaia is easily found in tropical and subtropical climates. Spreading include Southeast Asia, northern Australia and large parts of the Pacific Islands.

In the tradition of Vietnamese society, Laban Abang was originally used as a pesticide or pest repellent in the rice fields. Being able to kill the larvae of insects, experts suspect this plant has a cytotoxic (killer cells) which can be used to treat cancer.

Since the early decades of the 2000s, researchers began intensively researching this plant and found anti-cancer compounds called Rocaglamid. Medicinal compounds can be found in various parts of plants Laban Abang, including stems, leaves and seeds.

Efficacy in inhibiting the growth of breast cancer is evidenced recently by the Head of the laboratory and Medika Pharmaceutical Technology, Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology (BPPT), Dr Agung Wibowo ERU, MSc, Apt in a study for his doctoral dissertation.

“The test results showed the leaf extract Rocaglamid Laban Abang protective effect (to protect) and curative (heal) in mice fed a mammary cancer-triggering compounds,” said Dr. doctoral Court after the trial promotions in the Faculty of Medicine, University of Indonesia.

However, Dr. Agung still going to continue this research before recommending its use in humans. He hopes, limited clinical trials and chronic toxicity test to see adverse effects on long-term use can be done in 2012.

Hope to develop Laban Abang as breast cancer drug not impossible given that some cancer drugs originally developed from herbs. Vincristine and vinblastine, for example, was first discovered berkhasiatnya compounds in herbal Tread Dara (Catharanthus roseus).