192
radicals, viz., 2,2-diphenyl-1–picrylhydrazyl (DPPH)-radical, Nitric oxide,
Hydroxyl radical, etc., were also found (Ramalakshmi et al. 2014).
Plant-derived sesquiterpene lactones salograviolide A (Sal A) and iso-secotanapartholide (TNP) showed synergistic anti-cancer activities as reported by
Mohamed Salla et al. (2013). They found increased activity when these were used
together than alone. Sal A or TNP at low doses when used individually did not have
an effect on cell viability, but in combination at the same concentrations they initiated apoptosis. Apotopsis caused by the combined treatment is due to the production of ROS, which induces apoptosis. The mitogen-activated protein kinase
(MAPK) pathway plays a vital role in signalling apoptotis, which in turn is triggered by toxic stimuli or stress (Benhar et al. 2002, Zhang et al. 2005). Three known
MAPKs, the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2), the c-Jun N-terminal
kinase/stress-activated protein kinase, and p38, when activated induce cell death
(Zhang et al. 2005). ROS accumulation also causes JNK and p38 activation, in turn
leading to cell death (Guyton et al. 1996; Cho et al. 2005; Kamata et al. 2005).
Anti-cancer property has been reported for Polygala sp. by Alagammal et al.
(2013), Nigella sativa by Soumya et al. (2011), and Bauhinia variegata by Amita
Mishra et al. (2013).
Garlic contains quite a few biomolecules that have antioxidant and anticarcinogenic properties. Some of them are flavonoids like quercetin and cyaniding,
ajoene, a sulphur-containing compound inhibiting mutagenesis, selenium, which is
an anti-oxidant, and diallyl sulphides, all contributing anti-carcinogenic properties
to it (Sakarkar and Deshmukh 2011).
Actinidia chinensis root is used against cancer in Chinese medicine. (The wealth
of India: A Dictionary of Indian Raw Materials and Industrial Products Vol –I
(A-B)1985, pp. 29.) Aloe-emodin in Aloe vera fights cancer and inhibits metastasis
by activating macrophages and immune cells (Pecere et al. 2000). Camellia sinensis
(tea) contains polyphenolics (catechins and gallates) with anti-mutagenic and anticancer activity, which gives protection against cancers of liver, oesophagus, stomach, intestine, and lung (Kim et al. 1995; Dreosti 1996).
Ginkgolide-B from Ginkgo biloba prevents cancer proliferation by controlling
the activity of the platelet-activating factor and also protects DNA from damage
induced by nuclear radiation (Kleijnen and Knipschild 1992a; Tyler 1994).
Soya bean is found to induce differentiation in cancer cells by converting them
to normal cells, by virtue of isoflavones. Genisten, an isoflavone found in soy,
induces apoptosis in cancerous cells. It also prevents the spread of cancer by preventing platelet aggregation in turn by inhibiting the tyrosine kinase inhibitor
enzyme, and also by blocking angiogenesis (Kleijnen and Knipschild 1992b).
The glycoside glycyrrhizinin in liquorice shows anti-cancer activity in animal
systems (Ambasta 2000a). Gossypol from Gossypium barbadense has shown selective toxicity towards cancerous cells (Ambasta 2000b). Plant lignans in flax seed
when converted to lignans enterolactone and enterodiol (mammalian lignans) by
bacterial fermentation in the colon are anti-carcinogenic. These are structurally
similar to estrogens and can bind to estrogen receptors there by inhibiting the growth
of estrogen-stimulated breast cancer (Serraino and Thompson 1991, 1992).
A. Augustine and G.S. Pillai
radicals, viz., 2,2-diphenyl-1–picrylhydrazyl (DPPH)-radical, Nitric oxide,
Hydroxyl radical, etc., were also found (Ramalakshmi et al. 2014).
Plant-derived sesquiterpene lactones salograviolide A (Sal A) and iso-secotanapartholide (TNP) showed synergistic anti-cancer activities as reported by
Mohamed Salla et al. (2013). They found increased activity when these were used
together than alone. Sal A or TNP at low doses when used individually did not have
an effect on cell viability, but in combination at the same concentrations they initiated apoptosis. Apotopsis caused by the combined treatment is due to the production of ROS, which induces apoptosis. The mitogen-activated protein kinase
(MAPK) pathway plays a vital role in signalling apoptotis, which in turn is triggered by toxic stimuli or stress (Benhar et al. 2002, Zhang et al. 2005). Three known
MAPKs, the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2), the c-Jun N-terminal
kinase/stress-activated protein kinase, and p38, when activated induce cell death
(Zhang et al. 2005). ROS accumulation also causes JNK and p38 activation, in turn
leading to cell death (Guyton et al. 1996; Cho et al. 2005; Kamata et al. 2005).
Anti-cancer property has been reported for Polygala sp. by Alagammal et al.
(2013), Nigella sativa by Soumya et al. (2011), and Bauhinia variegata by Amita
Mishra et al. (2013).
Garlic contains quite a few biomolecules that have antioxidant and anticarcinogenic properties. Some of them are flavonoids like quercetin and cyaniding,
ajoene, a sulphur-containing compound inhibiting mutagenesis, selenium, which is
an anti-oxidant, and diallyl sulphides, all contributing anti-carcinogenic properties
to it (Sakarkar and Deshmukh 2011).
Actinidia chinensis root is used against cancer in Chinese medicine. (The wealth
of India: A Dictionary of Indian Raw Materials and Industrial Products Vol –I
(A-B)1985, pp. 29.) Aloe-emodin in Aloe vera fights cancer and inhibits metastasis
by activating macrophages and immune cells (Pecere et al. 2000). Camellia sinensis
(tea) contains polyphenolics (catechins and gallates) with anti-mutagenic and anticancer activity, which gives protection against cancers of liver, oesophagus, stomach, intestine, and lung (Kim et al. 1995; Dreosti 1996).
Ginkgolide-B from Ginkgo biloba prevents cancer proliferation by controlling
the activity of the platelet-activating factor and also protects DNA from damage
induced by nuclear radiation (Kleijnen and Knipschild 1992a; Tyler 1994).
Soya bean is found to induce differentiation in cancer cells by converting them
to normal cells, by virtue of isoflavones. Genisten, an isoflavone found in soy,
induces apoptosis in cancerous cells. It also prevents the spread of cancer by preventing platelet aggregation in turn by inhibiting the tyrosine kinase inhibitor
enzyme, and also by blocking angiogenesis (Kleijnen and Knipschild 1992b).
The glycoside glycyrrhizinin in liquorice shows anti-cancer activity in animal
systems (Ambasta 2000a). Gossypol from Gossypium barbadense has shown selective toxicity towards cancerous cells (Ambasta 2000b). Plant lignans in flax seed
when converted to lignans enterolactone and enterodiol (mammalian lignans) by
bacterial fermentation in the colon are anti-carcinogenic. These are structurally
similar to estrogens and can bind to estrogen receptors there by inhibiting the growth
of estrogen-stimulated breast cancer (Serraino and Thompson 1991, 1992).
A. Augustine and G.S. Pillai