The Journal of Phytopharmacology, 2013;2(6): 46-51 ; DOI:10.31254/phyto.2013.2608
Role of herbals in cancer management
Sanjar Alam1 , Deepti Katiyar1 , Richa Goel2 , Amita Vats1 , Ashu Mittal1
1. Department of Pharmaceutics, KIET School of Pharmacy, Ghaziabad, India
2. Department of Pharmacognosy, KIET School of Pharmacy, Ghaziabad, India
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Herbal medicines have a vital role in the prevention and treatment of cancer. A great deal of pharmaceutical research done in technologically advanced countries like USA, Germany, France, Japan and China has considerably improved quality of the herbal medicines used in the treatment of cancer. With advanced knowledge of molecular science and refinement in isolation & structure elucidation techniques, we are in a much better position to identify various anticancer herbs and develop the remedy that might cure cancer. The therapeutic effect of anticancer herbs is executed by inhibiting cancer-activating enzymes, stimulating DNA repair mechanism, promoting production of protective enzymes, inducing antioxidant action and by enhancing activity of the immune cells. Some herbs protect the body from cancer by enhancing detoxification functions of the body. Certain biological response modifiers derived from herbs are known to inhibit growth of cancer by modulating the activity of specific hormones and enzymes. Some herbs reduce toxic side effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Scientists all over the world are concentrating on the herbal medicines to boost immune cells of the body against cancer. By understanding the complex synergistic interaction of various constituents of anticancer herbs, the herbal formulations can be designed to attack the cancerous cells without harming normal cells of the body.
Herbal medicine, Cancer, Podophyllum peltatum.