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Heme is a compound consisting of an iron (Fe) atom bound to a pyrrole ring forming protoporphyrin IX (PPIX). Protoporphyrin combines with a protein-forming hemoprotein compound that plays an essential role in oxygen-binding and transport as well as in the process of energy production in the mitochondria. Some cancer cells have more heme biosynthesis than normal cells, which is thought to be linked to more cancer cell growth. Inhibition of heme biosynthesis in some cancer cells leads to decreased cell proliferation. This review article discusses the synthesis of heme, the role of heme in energy metabolism, which is needed for cell proliferation, the inhibition of heme synthesis and its effect on cancer cell proliferation, and the possibility of the inhibition of heme biosynthesis as an approach in therapy of cancer in the future.      

Melastoma malabathricum L. is a plant potentially useful in phytoremediation, and its successful propagation would facilitate further research in this application. The present study examined in vitro culture of leaf explants using MS medium supplemented with thidiazuron (TDZ; 0, 0.1, 1 and 2 mg/L) and 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA; 0, 0.1 and 1 mg/L) alone and in combination. Leaf explants responded to all treatments by forming callus, except on medium with a combination of 2 mg mg/L TDZ and 1 mg/L NAA. The callus formed tended to be friable-compact and compact in texture, and browning tended to occur in callus formed on media containing NAA alone. The medium containing 1 mg mg/L NAA and 0.1 mg/L TDZ gave the best results for callus formation (100 %). Callus formed faster on medium containing 1 mg/L NAA alone. Both callus and adventitious roots formed on media containing NAA alone, with 1 mg/L NAA giving the best results. One explant growing on the medium containing 2 mg/L TDZ and 0.1 mg/L NAA formed both callus and shoots.