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:
Emblica Officinalis
Emblica officinalis is valued for its unique tannins and flavonoids, which possess powerful anticancer properties. Emblica officinalis contains ellagic acid, gallic acid, quercetin, kaempferol, emblicanin, flavonoids, glycosides and proanthocyanidins. Ellagic acid isolated from Emblica officinalis inhibits mutations in genes. Ellagic acid also repairs chromosomal abnormalities. Quercetin, isolated from Emblica officinalis, has hepatoprotective effects. Emblicanin A & B (tannins) possess anticancer properties. Emblica officinalis inhibits growth & spread of various cancers including that of the breast, uterus, pancreas, stomach, liver and malignant ascites. Emblica officinalis is an excellent rejuvenator herb. It is highly nutritious and an important source of Vitamin C, minerals and amino acids. Emblica officinalis protects against many cancers, particularly liver cancer. Emblica officinalis reduces side effects of chemotherapy & radiotherapy.
Ginkgo Biloba
Ginkgetin and Ginkgolides (A & B), isolated from Ginkgo biloba inhibits growth & spread of invasive oestrogen receptor negative breast cancer, glioblastoma multiforme, hepatocellular carcinoma, stomach cancer, colon cancer, prostate cancer and ovarian cancer by inducing apoptosis. Even in a low dosage ginkgolides arrest growth of ovarian cancer. Ginkgolide exhibits anti tumourangiogenesis activity via many extracellular and intracellular pathways. Kaempferol isolated from Ginkgo biloba is one of the most important constituents in ginkgo flavonoids. Kaempferol effectively inhibits pancreatic cancer cell proliferation and induces cancer cell apoptosis and also sensitizes pancreatic tumour cells to chemotherapy. Ginkgo biloba extract inhibits cell proliferation and induces apoptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma by its gene regulatory and anti tumourangiogenic properties. Ginkgolide B, a terpenoid, isolated from Ginkgo biloba inhibits growth & spread of urinary bladder cancer by inhibiting DNA damage, altering the expression of genes involved in the regulation of cell proliferation, cell differentiation and apoptosis. Ginkgo biloba extract possesses anticancer activity by inhibiting radiation induced chromosome damaging clastogenic factors and ultraviolet light induced oxidative stress effects. Flavonoid and terpenoid constituents of Ginkgo biloba extract act in a complementary manner to inhibit several carcinogenesis related processes. Ginkgo biloba also reduces side effects of chemotherapy & radiotherapy.
Glycine Max
Isoflavones (such as genistein & daidzein) and saponins isolated from Glycine max inhibit growth & spread of various cancers such as cancers of the breast, uterus, cervix, ovary, lung, stomach, colon, pancreas, liver, kidney, urinary bladder, prostate, testis, oral cavity, larynx, and thyroid. Glycine max is also effective in nasopharyngeal carcinoma, skin cancer, malignant lymphoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, neuroblastoma, malignant brain tumours and leukaemia. Isoflavones & saponins isolated from Glycine max possess wide ranging anticancer properties such as inhibition of cancer cell proliferation, promotion of cell differentiation and induction of apoptosis. Genistein works by blocking tumourangiogenesis (formation of new blood vessels), acting as a tyrosine kinase inhibitor and inducing apoptosis. Genistein also blocks the supply of nutrients to cancer cells, thus killing them by starving. Genistein and quercetin have synergistic anticancer effects against ovarian carcinoma. Saponins isolated from Glycine max decrease invasiveness of the glioblastoma cells. Anthocyanins isolated from Glycine max induce apoptosis in leukaemic cells. Glycine max protects against many cancers including that of the colon, lung and ovary.
Glycyrrhiza Glabra
Glycyrrhiza glabra possess strong anticancer, antimutagenic, antiulcer, anti HIV and hepatoprotective properties. Glycyrrhizin isolated from Glycyrrhiza glabra inhibits growth & spread of lung cancer and fibrosarcomas. Glycyrrhizic acid isolated from Glycyrrhiza glabra protects against aflatoxins (powerful fungal carcinogens of the liver). Glycyrrhiza glabra contain various flavonoids including flavones, flavonals, isoflavones, chalcones, licochalcones and bihydrochalcones. Licochalcone-A isolated from Glycyrrhiza glabra, inhibits growth & spread of various cancers particularly the androgen refractory prostate cancer by inducing apoptosis and arresting cancer cells division. Licoagrochalcone, possesses strong anticancer activity against cancers of breast, lung, stomach, colon, liver, kidney and leukaemia. Glycyrrhiza glabra stimulates immune system response of the body and protects against colon cancer and oestrogen positive breast cancer.
