BRIN Unveil Potent Synergistic Herbal Trio as Promising Anticancer Candidates

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Harnessing the hidden potential of Indonesia’s rich biodiversity, researchers at the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) have successfully developed a breakthrough formula combining turmeric, soursop leaves, and black rice bran that demonstrates significant anticancer activity.

This innovative study, conducted by the Center for Research on Raw Drug Materials and Traditional Medicine, marks a strategic step toward national pharmaceutical independence by utilizing local biological resources to combat the global cancer crisis.

The research, led by Rizal Maarif Rukmana and his team, was driven by the staggering global prevalence of cancer, which now exceeds 32.6 million cases. This reality necessitated the search for safer, more effective, and accessible alternative therapies derived from natural ingredients.

While turmeric and soursop leaves are already recognized for their individual anticancer properties, the addition of black rice bran as a bioactive booster is designed to create a synergistic effect that aggressively inhibits the growth of cancer cells.

In his statement on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, Rizal explained that the team utilized a rigorous extraction process and advanced analytical methods to ensure the formula's efficacy. The rhizomes of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.), soursop leaves (Annona muricata L.), and black rice bran (Oryza sativa L.) underwent maceration for 72 hours. To achieve the most effective concentration, the researchers employed a simplex lattice design (SLD) method assisted by specialized design software.

“The cytotoxicity test was carried out using the MTT assay method against T47D breast cancer cells, WiDr colon cancer cells, and Vero normal cells. The results of the analysis show that extracts of turmeric, soursop leaves, and black rice bran contain groups of phenolic compounds, flavonoids, terpenoids, alkaloids, and steroids that play a role in anticancer activity,” Rizal revealed, as quoted by BRIN's official website.

The study identified two distinct optimal formulas tailored for specific cancer types. For breast cancer, the most potent results came from a mixture of 11.1 percent turmeric, 86.4 percent soursop leaves, and 2.5 percent black rice bran, which yielded an IC50 value of 24.91 ± 0.81 µg/mL and significantly halted cell proliferation.

“Meanwhile, the best formula as a colon anticancer agent was obtained from a combination of 95.9 percent turmeric extract, 2.6 percent soursop leaves, and 1.5 percent black rice bran with an IC50 value of 32.18 ± 2.38 µg/mL. These results indicate that the combination of natural ingredients can provide optimal anticancer activity through the synergistic effect between bioactive compounds,” Rizal said.

While the in vitro results are highly promising, the team emphasized that this is just the beginning of the journey toward a standardized herbal medicine. Further research involving in vivo testing and comprehensive clinical trials is essential to verify the safety, human biological mechanisms, and long-term effectiveness of the formulas.

This research underscores BRIN's commitment to optimizing local flora to strengthen Indonesia’s health and pharmacy sectors. By transforming traditional knowledge into evidence-based science, the agency aims to provide the public with anticancer candidates that are not only sustainable but also deeply rooted in the nation's natural heritage. ***