Rice for Cancer

Scientists around the world are studying the anti- carcinogenic properties of different rice varieties. British scientists are on the study of four different pills made from isolated chemical compounds in Thai sticky rice, bilberries, red wine and spices that may prevent cancer. Professor Will Steward, a cancer and molecular medicine expert said that the compounds appear to reduce the risk of cancer in some people and that their study was the latest step in the fight to find drugs that stop cells becoming malignant.
The Molecular studies on Njavara rice( Oryza sativa; a common rice variety in India ) by a team of scientists from the Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) have indicated the presence of a gene fragment encoding a protein which is reported to have anti-carcinogenic (chemo-preventive) property, especially against breast cancer.
The study was undertaken at the Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics and the centre for Plant Biotechnology and Molecular Biology , College of Horticulture, Kerala. 
This protein Bowman-Birk Trypsin inhibitor protein is also to posses anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic properties in animals and is reported to be capable of imparting resistance to fungal pathogens and pests in crops.
The KAU scientist pointed out that traditionally njavara was used in the ayurveda system of medicine for treatment of neurological disorders, rheumatism arthritis and emaciation of limbs. Porridge of njavara grains in milk was traditionally being given as a special food for invalids and infants.
The team has been able to identify segments of the gene segments of the gene in njavara rice and not the full length gene. The sequenced part of the gene includes 762 base pairs (BP) and it shows 94 percent identity with the Bowman-Birk Trypsin Inhibitors protein in Japonic rice in China.