ArdorComm Media Bureau
April 20, 2026
LUMAMI, NAGALAND, 20th April 2026: Researchers from Nagaland University and Fazl Ali College, Mokokchung, have transformed one of the State’s most problematic invasive weeds into a powerful tool for next-generation healthcare and sustainable manufacturing, unlocking major end-use applications in pharmaceuticals, medicine and green industry.
The research team has developed an eco-friendly method to convert the invasive plant Mikania micrantha into silver nanoparticles that can efficiently accelerate drug production, combat harmful bacteria, and show promising anticancer activity, all without relying on toxic chemicals conventionally used in nanomaterial synthesis.
The researchers adopted a “green chemistry” approach that replaces hazardous industrial processes with plant-based science. Using leaf extracts, the team created highly stable silver nanoparticles that act as ultra-fast catalysts that can produce essential drug components known as ‘Imidazoles’ in 30 to 180 seconds. These compounds are foundational to a wide range of medicines used across therapeutic areas.
The Research was supported by Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) and the National Fellowship for Scheduled Tribe Students (NFSTMOTA).
The findings were published in Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbrc.2026.153682), a peer-reviewed scientific journal that disseminates short reports of significant findings across the fields of biochemistry, biophysics, and molecular biology. The Paper was co-authored by Manthae C. Phom, Phitovili Sumi, Betokali K. Zhimomi, Khonzani Yanthan, Tonge W W, Shokip Tumtin and Tovishe Phucho.
Commending the Nagaland University-led research team for their groundbreaking work in transforming an invasive plant into a valuable resource for pharmaceutical development, Prof. Jagadish K. Patnaik, Vice Chancellor, Nagaland University, said, “This innovative study highlights a fast, eco-friendly approach to drug synthesis while demonstrating significant antibacterial and anticancer potential. Such research underscores the university’s commitment to scientific excellence and sustainable solutions to address global health challenges.”
The study’s most immediate impact lies in pharmaceutical manufacturing. The nanoparticles function as reusable catalytic engines, enabling faster, cleaner, and more cost-effective production of key drug ingredients. Unlike conventional methods that depend on expensive and toxic reagents, this approach offers a scalable and sustainable alternative for industry.
Importantly, the nanoparticles can be reused at least six times with minimal loss of efficiency, significantly reducing production costs and chemical waste—an advantage with strong implications for large-scale drug manufacturing.
Elaborating on the important outcomes of this research, Dr. I. Tovishe Phucho, Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry, Nagaland University, said that there is still a huge potential for many more locally available plants to show such promising properties and with proper funding, further research is possible.
Beyond their productions, these nanoparticles demonstrated strong antibacterial activity against dangerous pathogens, including Staphylococcus aureus (a major cause of hospital infections) and Yersinia pestis. This opens up potential applications in antimicrobial coatings, wound care products, and infection control systems.
In parallel, lab tests on human colon cancer cells revealed that the nanoparticles significantly reduce cancer cell viability, showing nearly twice the potency of the plant extract alone. This positions the research as a promising step toward developing plant-based nanomaterials for future cancer therapies.
The nanoparticles are naturally coated with plant-derived compounds, giving them exceptional stability even at temperatures as high as 165°C. This makes them suitable for demanding industrial environments, including pharmaceutical processing and biomedical applications.
TACKLING AN ECO-CHALLENGE
Mikania micrantha has long posed ecological challenges across Nagaland. This research converts an invasive species into a high-value raw material for advanced medical and industrial applications.
By leveraging Nagaland’s unique biodiversity as part of the Eastern Himalayas, a global hotspot, the study also highlights how local plant species can yield globally relevant scientific innovations. The specific chemical properties of plants from this region contributed to the efficiency and stability of the nanoparticles, marking a first-of-its-kind achievement.
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