A great deal of pharmaceutical research and refinement in isolation & structure elucidation technique has placed the scientists in a better position to identify various anticancer herbs. Scientists all over the world are now concentrating on the use of herbs to fight cancer. Over a period of two decades, with advanced knowledge of molecular science, Sino Vedic Cancer Research Centre has identified more than 450 anticancer herbs having antimutagenic, DNA repairing, proapoptotic, antitumourangiogenesis, immunomodulatory, chemoprotective and radioprotective properties. These anticancer herbs inhibit growth & spread of cancer and tame aggressive cancer cells by repairing damaged DNA, inhibiting mutations in the genes, blocking cancer promoting enzymes & hormones, reviving the process of apoptosis and inhibiting tumourangiogenesis. Some of the commonly used Sino Vedic anticancer herbs are listed below:
Acorus Calamus
Main active principles of Acorus calamus are glycosides and saponins. Dried rhizomes of Acorus calamus contain the yellow aromatic volatile oils having asarone as a main constituent which contains the small quantity of sesquiterpenes and its alcohols. Rhizome also contains choline, flavone, acoradin, galangin, acolamone and isocolamone. Aerial parts of Acorus calamus contain luteolin-6,8-c-diglucoside. Phenylpropanoid isolated from Acorus calamus improves immunity and protects from ultraviolet rays. Other constituents of Acorus calamus are tannin, pinene, cineole, limonene, terpineol, azulene, eugenol, camphene, cadinene, magnesium, zinc and camphor. European varieties yield more sesquiterpenoids. Hydroalcoholic extract of Acorus calamus is found effective in breast carcinoma in a joint study by ACTREC and CCRAS. In another study Aqueous and methanolic extracts of Acorus calamus rhizome have shown anticancer activity against breast and liver cancers. Acorus calamus also possesses immunomodulatory properties.
Aegle Marmelos
Aegle marmelos leaves contain Skimmianine, Aegeline, Lupeol, Cineol, Citral, Citronella, Cuminaldehyde, Eugenol and Marmesinine. Aegle marmelos bark contains Skimmianine, Fagarine and Marmin. Aegle marmelos fruit contains Marmelosin, Luvangetin, Aurapten, Psoralen, Marmelide and Tannin. Many phytoconstituents of Aegle marmelos have antineoplastic, radioprotective & chemoprotective properties and are useful in treatment and prevention of cancer. Skimmianine, an alkaloid isolated from Aegle marmelos, possesses strong anticancer activity against ovarian cancer. Lupeol isolated from Aegle marmelos, possesses anticancer activity against breast cancer, malignant lymphoma, malignant melanoma, malignant ascites and leukaemia. Skimmianine induces apoptosis through its compound 1-hydroxy-5, 7-dimethoxy-2-naphthalene-carboxaldehyde. Hydroalcoholic extract of Aegle marmelos leaves possesses hepatoprotective and radioprotective properties. Aegle marmelos considerably reduces side effects of chemotherapy & radiotherapy.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera, a popular houseplant, has a long history as a multipurpose folk remedy. Aloe vera’s beneficial properties may be attributed to mucopolysaccharides present in the gel of the leaf. Aloe Vera contains over 75 nutrients and 200 active compounds, including 20 minerals, 18 amino acids, and 12 vitamins. There is significant evidence that Aloe vera is highly effective in fighting cancer. Aloe vera fights cancer at every step. Aloe vera prevents the genesis of cancer, regresses malignant tumours, arrests metastases, stimulates immune system response, decreases toxic effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Emodin isolated from Aloe vera exhibit strong anticancer and immunoenhancing activities. Aloe-emodin inhibits growth & spread of carcinoma of stomach and various sarcomas by inducing apoptosis. Aloe-emodin possesses selective anticancer activity against neuroectodermal tumours (PNET). Acemannan, a polysaccharide of Aloe vera, stimulates the immune system, accelerates wound healing and possesses strong anticancer activity. Alexin B isolated from Aloe vera possesses strong anticancer activity against leukaemia. The active ingredients of Aloe vera include eight chains of mannose sugars (glucose, galactose, mannose, fructose, xylose, N-acetylglucosamine, N-acetylgalactosamine, and N-acetylneuraminic acid). These sugars, known as super carbohydrates, play an important role in preventing genesis of cancer by stimulating intercellular communication. Aloe vera stimulates immune system response of the body by activating macrophages and releasing cytokines such as interferon, interleukin and tumour necrosis factor.
Alpinia Galanga
Extracts of both Alpinia galanga and Alpinia officinarum kill cancer cells as well as increasing the ability of normal cells to protect themselves from carcinogens. This dual action is quite rare among anticancer medicines. Alpinia galanga has been used traditionally in India and China against cancer of the stomach. Acetoxy-chavicol-acetate (ACA), isolated from seeds and rhizomes of Alpinia galanga, possesses significant anticancer activity against cancers of the breast, lung, stomach, colon, prostate, multiple myeloma and leukaemia. ACA induces apoptosis in multiple myeloma cells. ACA also blocks HIV-1 replication in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and may represent a novel treatment for HIV-1 infection. Pinocembrin isolated from Alpinia galanga inhibits growth & spread of colon cancer by arresting cell proliferation and inducing apoptosis. Galangin, a flavonoid, isolated from Alpinia galanga, possesses strong anticancer, antimutagenic and anti-inflammatory properties. Galangin possesses aromatase inhibitor properties and prevents the conversion of testosterone to estrogen in both men and women, thus preventing cancer, especially of the breast and prostate.
