Whispers of a nearly forgotten forest remedy have acquired scientific weight, with researchers from Nagaland University and Assam Down Town University uncovering the extraordinary medicinal potential of Goniothalamus simonsii, an endangered species once known only to indigenous healers in the forests of Meghalaya.
Published in the peer-reviewed journal Chemistry and Biodiversity, the study marks the first full scientific examination of the plant, long valued locally but never subjected to modern pharmacological scrutiny.
Mayur Mausoom Phukan, Assistant Professor in the Department of Forestry at Nagaland University, said the discovery comes at a time when global health systems confront antibiotic resistance, rising chronic illnesses and concerns over synthetic drugs. “Our findings reaffirm that India's rich biodiversity holds untapped potential for modern drug discovery. Goniothalamus simonsii not only offers pharmacological promise but also underscores the urgent need to conserve such endangered species.
“Long used by indigenous communities to treat gastrointestinal complications, throat irritation, typhoid fever and malaria, this plant had never before been studied for its scientific or pharmacological potential,” Phukan said.
Researchers found that the species contains a strong mix of bioactive phytochemicals with antioxidant, antimicrobial and anticancer properties. Using advanced analytical tools and computational modelling, the team showed how compounds from the plant interact with cancer-related proteins — offering rare, nature-based leads for drug development at a time when pharmaceutical research increasingly looks to biodiverse landscapes.
Nagaland University Vice Chancellor Jagadish K Patnaik said the research helps bridge generations of forest knowledge with contemporary science. “Nagaland University, in collaboration with Assam Down Town University, has undertaken the first comprehensive scientific study on Goniothalamus simonsii Hook. f. Thoms, an endangered and endemic medicinal plant native to the forests of Meghalaya.
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“Through this study, our researchers are not only contributing to the conservation and understanding of a rare plant species but are also helping to bridge the gap between traditional knowledge and modern science,” Patnaik said.
Laboratory analyses showed that extracts from different parts of the plant demonstrated strong anti-proliferative effects against colon cancer cells. Other properties identified include antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic and antimicrobial effects, placing the plant among the more promising natural candidates for further medicinal research.
The urgency, researchers say, lies in the species’ rapid decline. Its population has reduced drastically and is now confined to a handful of natural sites. Samson Rosly Sangma, Research Scholar at the university, said the plant is officially recognised as ‘Endangered’ by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), with limited awareness among local communities contributing to its vulnerability.
“What makes this research particularly significant is that Goniothalamus simonsii is an exceptionally rare species, with its population declining alarmingly and now confined to only a few natural habitats. This decline is largely attributed to the limited awareness of its medicinal importance among local communities.
“Listed as 'Endangered' by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), this remarkable plant now faces an urgent need for focused conservation efforts. By generating robust scientific data, we hope that our work will encourage conservation and cultivation initiatives for this rare plant, ensuring its sustainable use and protection in the wild,” Sangma said.
For a species hidden in the deep shade of Meghalaya’s forests, the findings open an arresting window into the future of nature-based therapeutics — and a reminder of how much remains undiscovered before it fades from the wild.
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