Melatonin, a hormone produced by the brain, could soon help protect the heart from the harmful effects of chemotherapy.
This was the view of Jenelle Govender of the Department of Physiological Sciences in the Faculty of Science at Stellenbosch University (SU) on Monday (7 December 2015).
She was among 12 doctoral students and one postdoctoral fellow from six faculties at SU who shared their latest research with the public at the annual New Voices in Science colloquium held at the Stellenbosch Institute for Advance Study (STIAS). The event was hosted by SU's Postgraduate and International Office.
The title of Govender's address was "Protecting the heart during chemotherapy".
She is doing research on the effect of melatonin supplements on heart cells which get damaged during chemotherapy.
"Melatonin contains potent anti-oxidants that can help reduce tumour growth and improve cardiac function. Melatonin is also able to enhance the immune system."
Govender said the amounts of melatonin produced by the brain are too small to protect the heart during chemotherapy.
She added that while preliminary findings look promising, a lot more research needs to be done to give the go-ahead in terms of using melatonin supplements for cancer treatment.
Govender said it is important to find an alternative to chemotherapy because people can still experience poor heart function even years after having received this type of treatment.
Another presentation that focused on health was given by Carine Sao Emani of the Department of Biomedical Sciences in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. She talked about "Finding Tuberculosis's weak spot".
Sao Emani said her research has confirmed that the TB-causing bacterium needs a particular vitamin called ergothioneine to survive. She mentioned that the bacterium produces the vitamin itself.
"If we can come up with a drug that prevents the mycobacterium from making ergothioneine, we could help cure latent as well as resistant TB."
Sao Emani said because TB can either be latent or resistant makes it very difficult to contain the disease.
Also talking about a health-related issue was Christina Glyn-Wood of the Department of Botany and Zoology in the Faculty of Science. She spoke about "The healing genie of the Karoo". Glyn-Wood highlighted the medicinal value of the Karoo plant called "Kougoed" which has been used by San Bushmen for stamina and calm focus during hunting.
"Biomedical researchers have found that this plant contains several biomedical compounds that could be used to treat stress, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, addictions and numerous other related mental conditions."
Glyn-Wood said her research has shown that "Kougoed" can also produce these compounds when grown in a laboratory.
In welcoming the guests, SU Rector and Vice-Chancellor Prof Wim De Villiers said New Voices in Science is important because "it is an innovative example of science communication and an admirable exercise in capacity building for emerging scientists who will be carrying the torch of science into the future".
He added that initiatives like New Voices in Science remind us that universities exist to make a positive difference to people's lives. New Voices in Science "is communication that unleashes the power of ideas to transform our world and the way we live".
- Click here for a copy of the 2015 New Voices in Sciences Magazine
- Click here for the Rector's speech
- Photo: Speakers at the New Voices in Science event
- Photographer: Nico Gründlingh
