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Anticancer Effects of Herbal Medicine Compounds and Novel Formulations: a Literature Review
Manal Khalid Abdulridha1, Ali H Al-Marzoqi2, Ghaidaa Raheem Lateef Al-Awsi3
1Department of Clinical Pharmacy/College of Pharmacy, Mustansiriyah University, Baghdad, Iraq.
Introduction:
Many agents disrupt the cell cycle and its signaling circuits leading to cancer progress. Cancer therapy is performed by surgery, radiation, and chemical drugs remaining some side effects.
Objective:
To evaluate the anticancer traits of herbal medicines.
Methods:
We collected previously published data in searching engines (Web of Science, PubMed, Medline, and SCOPUS) by searching key words "herbal medicine," "anticancer effect," "compounds," and "fractions."
Results:
Herbal medicines have unraveled anticancer effects mostly through cancer cells apoptosis via blocking NF-κB pathway by curcumin and terpenoides; CD95 signaling and enhancement of CD95L expression by resveratrol; and inhibiting tyrosine kinas, angiogenesis, and cell cycle arrest in G2/M phase by β-lapachone-genistein and cytochrome-c release into the cytosol and caspase-9 activation by biocalein and quercetin. Additionally, impeding cell cycle in the G1 phase in ovarian cancer cells by 7-hydroxystaurosporine, immune cells enrichment (neutrophils and NK cells activation by Viscum album L., T cells and NK cells activation and cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor release by Ganoderma lucidum and microRNAs regulation (by Sinomeniumacutum, shikonin, Oleaeuropaea, curcumin and ginseng). These effects have implications for proper cancer cells elimination. It has been revealed that cytotoxic effects of herbal compounds (mostly those secondary metabolites) have exerted anticancer properties against several cancer cell lines. In addition, targeting microRNAs, nanoparticle-assisted herbal synergism, and novel drug delivery systems and combination chemotherapies have also emerged exerting higher efficacies for specific cell targeting as novel cancer therapy approaches.
Conclusion:
Considering side effects, toxicity, and higher costs of common cancer therapy approaches, application of novel herbal medicine-based therapies will confer promising insights for health outcomes.
Insights
Herbal medicines show promising anticancer effects by inducing cancer cell death and regulating immune responses. These natural compounds offer a potentially safer and more cost-effective alternative to conventional cancer therapies.
Area of Science:
- Phytochemistry
- Cancer Biology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Conventional cancer therapies like surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy often cause significant side effects.
- Many natural agents can disrupt cell cycle signaling pathways crucial for cancer progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the anticancer traits and mechanisms of various herbal medicines.
- To explore the potential of herbal compounds as novel cancer therapeutic agents.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature review of published data from major scientific databases (Web of Science, PubMed, Medline, SCOPUS).
- Keywords used included "herbal medicine," "anticancer effect," "compounds," and "fractions."
Main Results:
- Herbal medicines induce cancer cell apoptosis via pathways like NF-κB inhibition (curcumin, terpenoids) and CD95 signaling (resveratrol).
- Compounds such as β-lapachone-genistein inhibit tyrosine kinases, angiogenesis, and cause cell cycle arrest.
- Other mechanisms include cytochrome-c release, caspase activation (biochanin A, quercetin), cell cycle arrest (7-hydroxystaurosporine), immune cell activation (Viscum album L., Ganoderma lucidum), and microRNA regulation (Sinomenium acutum, shikonin, Olea europaea, curcumin, ginseng).
- Cytotoxic effects of herbal compounds, particularly secondary metabolites, demonstrate anticancer properties against various cancer cell lines.
- Emerging approaches include microRNA targeting, nanoparticle-assisted herbal synergism, novel drug delivery systems, and combination therapies for enhanced efficacy and specificity.
Conclusions:
- Herbal medicine-based therapies present promising alternatives to conventional treatments, considering fewer side effects, lower toxicity, and reduced costs.
- Natural compounds offer novel insights for improving cancer treatment outcomes and patient health.
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