HOPE FOR CANCER PATIENTS?

In the scrublands and home gardens of Sri Lanka, where fire-orange blooms dance in the tropical heat, a quiet revolution is taking place.

- By Sugath Kulathunga Arachchi

The peacock flower (Caesalpinia pulcherrima), long admired for its beauty and revered in traditional medicine, may hold the key to a new frontier in cancer care.

This revelation is the result of a decade-long study by researchers at the University of Colombo, led by Professor Sameera R. Samarakoon. Blending indigenous knowledge and molecular biology, their work has uncovered potent anticancer compounds from the peacock flowerplant-derived agents that not only destroy malignant cells but do so without harming healthy immune tissue.

At a time when cancer cases are rising globally—especially in lower-income countries where access to advanced therapies remains limitedthis plant-based alternative could become a beacon of hope.

A Research Journey Rooted in Biodiversity

Sri Lanka's rich biodiversity has long supported traditional healing systems, especially Ayurveda. Yet much of this botanical wisdom has remained undocumented or underutilised in formal science. Professor Samarakoon and his multidisciplinary team set out to change that narrative. For years, they have systematically explored native flora for bioactive compounds that might offer alternatives to synthetic drugs.

Their most recent breakthrough focuses on *Caesalpinia pulcherrima*, a widely naturalised shrub whose roots, bark, leaves, and flowers are traditionally used to treat fever, wounds, and digestive disorders. In Indonesia, its root is prescribed for childhood colic; in South Asia, the plant is known for its anti-inflammatory and anti-diarrheal properties.