Students research cancer treatment from natural medicine

Talented, calm and passionate about research is probably a fairly complete summary of Nguyen Quoc Trung - Outstanding Young Citizen of Ho Chi Minh City 2024.

At the age of 22, Nguyen Quoc Trung has published 11 scientific articles from his research results - Photo: C.TRIEU

At the age of 22, Nguyen Quoc Trung - a student at the University of Natural Sciences (Ho Chi Minh City National University) - possesses an enviable scientific background, having published 11 articles in prestigious scientific journals at home and abroad.

Find compounds from natural medicinal herbs

In 11 published articles, Trung is the head of two basic research projects with the orientation of using natural products to protect health.

The research topic of utilizing creeping daisy grass - an invasive alien grass that causes ecological imbalance - growing in the suburbs of Ho Chi Minh City to synthesize silver nano has been approved and met the requirements. Silver nano solution has strong antibacterial ability, is non-toxic, contributing to protecting and improving the ecological environment.

Research is in his blood, so wherever Trung goes, he explores. While working as a volunteer soldier in Can Gio district (HCMC), he also discovered that essential oil from the white starfruit tree has the potential to fight against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. Pseudomonas aeruginosa, if it invades the body, can cause urinary tract infections, meningitis, endocarditis, otitis media, pneumonia, while Staphylococcus aureus causes food poisoning, skin infections, blood infections, etc.

The topic that took the most effort from Trung was the study of the CHID1 gene mechanism and the use of natural compounds to prevent the metastasis and growth of glioblastoma cells. Glioblastoma is a very difficult type of cancer to treat. Therefore, creating "internal energy" for natural compounds to cross the blood-brain barrier and destroy cancer cells is quite a difficult problem.

Trung admitted that when he started his research last year, he did not have much experience in cell research, especially brain cancer cells. He said that the journey was indeed arduous, he could not remember how many experiments he had to do, including adjusting the research process and finding and consulting many leading professors.

He said he had isolated and used the compound MB04 from soursop leaves to inhibit the growth of glioblastoma. Trung said the initial research results showed that the inhibitory effect was many times higher than current treatments.

"The compounds found have very good biological activity, even surpassing some existing treatment drugs. The trial used a small amount of the compound but had good treatment effects, so the ability to minimize some unwanted side effects for patients is relatively promising," Trung said.

My greatest aspiration is to contribute to raising the status of science and technology, building advanced Vietnamese medicine, meeting the development requirements in the era of national growth.

NGUYEN QUOC TRUNG

Loss of appetite, lack of sleep, sometimes lost 10kg

Trung said his passion for research began with inspiration from playing with his brother while building organic compound models. His passion grew every day, and he set a goal of getting into the specialized chemistry class of the province's specialized school.

Fulfilling his dream when he was a student in the chemistry class at Huynh Man Dat High School for the Gifted, the student from Kien Giang province once spent many weeks in the lab from morning to night. Sometimes he only ate one meal a day, and at his peak, he lost nearly 10 kilos.

However, the research project to synthesize biodegradable polymers you were pursuing at that time failed. Partly because the school's laboratory lacked chemicals, Trung said the most lacking thing was the lack of research experience. Searching the Internet, he learned that Associate Professor Dr. Ha Thuc Huy - a lecturer in the chemistry department at the University of Natural Sciences (Ho Chi Minh City National University) - had the research direction that Trung was pursuing.

Luckily he found the email, he sent a letter and received a prompt reply from Mr. Huy. "I was even happier when he provided chemicals, experimental equipment, and guidance so that I could successfully conduct my research later. He was the one who laid the foundation for my current research direction," Trung said.

But this young man also failed many times because doing science has never been a smooth road. Maintaining a strong spirit, flexible thinking, persevering on the chosen path, and being ready to face failure have become lessons learned by heart. For Trung, the important thing is to find the wrong points in the process and always be in the mindset of seeking to learn, listening to opinions not only from experts but also from colleagues.

There is pressure but more responsibility

Trung shared that the title "Outstanding Young Citizen of Ho Chi Minh City" he just received is not only for himself but also to acknowledge the help of his teachers and companions. "There is a bit of pressure when being honored, but I know I need to strive, make more efforts to learn and have the responsibility to contribute more to society," Trung expressed.

Party member age 18

Nguyen Quoc Trung has just become a typical young citizen of Ho Chi Minh City on the first day of 2025 - Photo: THANH HIEP

* When you joined the Party at the age of 18, what did you think about the most?

- There is certainly no small amount of pride in becoming a party member at the age of 18. But I know it is also a great responsibility, helping me to more clearly define the ideal of serving the Fatherland and the people.

I always remind myself to constantly practice and improve my professional skills to be worthy of the trust that has been placed in me. I determine that I need to be a pioneer and a role model in studying, researching and spending time participating in social activities.

* If you had to portray researcher Nguyen Quoc Trung, what would that portrait be like?

- Witnessing my parents' health gradually decline, I yearned to find medicinal herbs, treatment solutions, and sustainable health improvement from nature. The potential of Vietnamese medicinal herbs and the need for community health care are huge. I yearn to create medicinal products "made in Vietnam".

I plan to study abroad to gain more knowledge, modern techniques as well as access advanced research methods. I can only contribute effectively to the country when I accumulate a solid professional foundation in parallel with training my character, soft skills, and integration mindset. I hope to complete my studies soon so that I can return home and apply what I have learned.

This is both a way to develop myself and realize my aspiration to contribute to improving the quality of healthcare and raising the brand of Vietnamese science on the international map. I have and will always work with a proactive mindset of learning, accepting new knowledge, and being open to catching up with global trends.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/sinh-vien-nghien-cuu-tri-ung-thu-tu-duoc-lieu-tu-nhien-20250204092456364.htm