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:
Amoora Rohituka
Amooranin, a triterpene acid (25-Hydroxy-3-oxoolean-12-en-28-oic acid), isolated from Amoora rohituka stem bark showed significant anticancer activity against breast cancer and cervical cancer. Amooranin inhibits growth & spread of cancer by arresting G2/M phase of the cell cycle, caspase activation and by inducing apoptosis. Amooranin and its derivatives are effective in both chemotherapy sensitive and chemotherapy resistant cancers. Amooranin has the ability to overcome (reverse) multidrug resistance in breast cancer, colon cancer and leukaemia. Flow cytometric assay showed reversal of multidrug resistance by Amooranin. Amooranin and its derivative compounds can be used in the treatment of many other diseases in which aberrant cellular proliferation occurs such as autoimmune disorders, and inflammatory diseases. Ethyl acetate extract derived from the stem bark of Amoora rohituka exhibited antitumour activity against cancers of liver, larynx, malignant ascites and lymphoma.
Andrographis Paniculata
Andrographis paniculata extract is traditionally used as a medicine to treat different diseases in India, China and Southeast Asia. Andrographis paniculata possesses anticancer, immunostimulant, anti-HIV, anti-inflammatory, biliary stimulator and tranquilizer properties. The primary medicinal component of Andrographis paniculata is andrographolide, which is a diterpene lactone, colorless crystalline substance, bitter in taste. Other active components of Andrographis paniculata includes 14-deoxy-11,12-didehydroandrographolide (andrographolide D), 14-deoxy andrographolide, neoandrographolide, homoandrographolide, andrographan, andrographon, andrographosterin and stigmasterol. Leaves of Andrographis paniculata contain two bitter lactones, andrographolide and kalmeghin. Roots of Andrographis paniculata contain flavones, apigenin-7,4-dio-O-methyl ether, 5-hydroxy-7,8,2’,3’-tetramethoxyflavone, andrographin & panicolin and alpha-sitosterol. Andrographolide, isolated from Andrographis paniculata, has immunoenhancing and strong anticancer activity against cancers of breast, ovary, stomach, colon, prostate, kidney, nasopharynx malignant melanoma and leukaemia by arresting G0/G1 phase of cell cycle and inducing apoptosis. Dichloromethane fraction of methanolic extract of Andrographis paniculata has strong anticancer activity against colon cancer. Andrographis paniculata enhances the activity of protective liver enzymes and reduces side effects of chemotherapy & radiotherapy.
Asparagus Racemosus
Asparagus racemosus contains saponins, alkaloids, proteins and tannins. Saponins are an important class of secondary metabolites which have been long recognized to show cytotoxic activity in various cancer cell lines. Immunoside, sarsasapogenin glycoside, isolated from Asparagus racemosus has strong anticancer activity against carcinoma of colon by inducing apoptosis. Shatavarin IV isolated from ethyl acetate insoluble fraction of chloroform:methanol extract of Asparagus racemosus roots exhibits significant anticancer activity against cancers of breast, colon and kidney. Shatavarin I-IV, triterpene saponins, isolated from Asparagus racemosus support the body’s own natural production of estrogen. The crude saponins from the shoots of Asparagus racemosus were found to have anticancer activity especially in leukemia.
Azadirachta Indica
Azadirachta indica contains about 40 different active principles, known as liminoids, which exhibit immunoenhancing, anti-inflammatory, antiulcer, antifungal, antiviral, hepatoprotective, antimutagenic, anticancer and antimetastatic properties. Liminoids inhibit growth & spread of various cancers such as cancers of breast, lung, stomach, prostate and skin. Nimbolide, a natural triterpenoid, isolated from Azadirachta indica leaves and flowers inhibits growth & spread of colon cancer, malignant lymphoma, malignant melanoma and leukaemia by inducing apoptosis. Nimbolide prevents metastasis by retarding tumour cell migration, invasion and tumourangiogenesis. Two water soluble polysaccharides G Ia and G Ib isolated from the bark of Azadirachta indica, possess strong antitumour activity in sarcomas. Polysaccharides G IIa, G IIIa isolated from bark of Azadirachta indica have anti-inflammatory activity. NB-II peptidoglycan isolated from bark has an immunomodulatory effect. Gallic acids, (–) epicatechin and catechin, isolated from bark of Azadirachta indica have anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects. Some active ingredients (phytosterol fraction) isolated from the lipid part of Azadirachta indica fruits, exhibit antiulcer activity in stress induced gastric lesions. Aqueous extract of Azadirachta indica leaves effectively suppresses squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity. Aqueous extract of leaves also possesses potent immunostimulant activity by humoral and cell mediated responses. Aqueous extract of stem bark enhances the immune response. Ethanolic extract of Azadirachta indica inhibits growth & spread of prostate cancer by inducing apoptosis and by antiandrogenic effect. Azadirachta indica reduces side effects of chemotherapy & radiotherapy. Azadirachta indica oil possesses immunostimulant activity.
