193
Anti-carcinogenic activity is also shown by monoterpene compounds in Mentha
piperita oil (Dorman et al. 2003, Romero-Jimenez et al. 2005). Zingiber officinalis
(ginger) rhizomes contain gingerols with pronounced anti-inflammatory activity
against various cancers (Katiyar et al. 1996, Kikuzaki and Nakatani 1993).
Gaidhani et al. (2013) evaluated Taxus baccata L and compound formulations
like Triphala ghrita, Khadirarista, Madhusnuhi rasayana, Maha triphaladya ghrita,
and Panchatikta guggulu ghrita indicated in ayurvedic texts for management of
cancer/tumour. Cedrus deodara (Roxb.) ex Lamb. and Berberis aristata (Roxb.) ex
DC. showed maximum anti-cancer activity (against 3 cell lines) as compared to
Withania somnifera Dunal. (against two cell lines) and Picrorhiza kurroa and Piper
longum L. (against one cell line).
8.5
Conclusions
The chapter gives a new perspective on cancer prevention and cure using biomolecules from plants/ayurvedic sources. Natural compounds tend to have an undeniable
role in cancer prevention and cure. Drug discovery from medicinal plants is time
consuming and cumbersome. Techniques such as nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and mass spectroscopy could facilitate compound isolation from medicinal
plants. Though it is challenging, medicinal plants still remain a major source/reservoir of novel drug candidates for cancer. In the near future, plant-derived compounds could hold a major share in the array of cancer medicines available for
therapy.
References
Aggarwal BB, Kumar A, Bharti AC (2003) Anticancer potential of curcumin: preclinical and clinical studies. Anticancer Res 23:363–398
Aggarwal BB, Kumar S, Aggarwal S, Shishodia S (2005) Curcumin derived from turmeric
(Curcuma longa): a spice for all seasons. In: Bagchi D, Preuss HG (eds) Phytochmicals in
cancer chemoprevention. CRC press, Hoboken
Aggarwal BB, Ichikawa H, Garodia P, Weerasinghe P, Sethi G, Bhatt ID, Pandey MK, Shishodia
S, Nair MG (2006) From traditional ayurvedic medicine to modern medicine: identification
of therapeutic targets for suppression of inflammation and cancer. Expert Opin Ther Targets
10:87–118
Alagammal M, Paulpriya K, Mohan VR (2013) Anticancer activity of ethanol extracts of Polygala
Javana DC whole plant against Dalton ascites lymphoma. Res J Recent Sci 2:18–22
Aluyen JK, Ton QN, Tran T, Yang AE, Gottlieb HB, Bellanger RA (2012) Resveratrol: potential
as anticancer agent. J Dietary Suppl 9:45–56
Ambasta SP (ed) (2000a) The useful plant of India, 4th edn. National Institution of Sci.
Communication, Delhi, p 239
Ambasta SP (ed) (2000b) The useful plant of India, Fourth edn. National Institution of Sci.
Communication, Delhi, p 243
8 Cancer Combating Biomolecules From Plants
Anti-carcinogenic activity is also shown by monoterpene compounds in Mentha
piperita oil (Dorman et al. 2003, Romero-Jimenez et al. 2005). Zingiber officinalis
(ginger) rhizomes contain gingerols with pronounced anti-inflammatory activity
against various cancers (Katiyar et al. 1996, Kikuzaki and Nakatani 1993).
Gaidhani et al. (2013) evaluated Taxus baccata L and compound formulations
like Triphala ghrita, Khadirarista, Madhusnuhi rasayana, Maha triphaladya ghrita,
and Panchatikta guggulu ghrita indicated in ayurvedic texts for management of
cancer/tumour. Cedrus deodara (Roxb.) ex Lamb. and Berberis aristata (Roxb.) ex
DC. showed maximum anti-cancer activity (against 3 cell lines) as compared to
Withania somnifera Dunal. (against two cell lines) and Picrorhiza kurroa and Piper
longum L. (against one cell line).
8.5
Conclusions
The chapter gives a new perspective on cancer prevention and cure using biomolecules from plants/ayurvedic sources. Natural compounds tend to have an undeniable
role in cancer prevention and cure. Drug discovery from medicinal plants is time
consuming and cumbersome. Techniques such as nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and mass spectroscopy could facilitate compound isolation from medicinal
plants. Though it is challenging, medicinal plants still remain a major source/reservoir of novel drug candidates for cancer. In the near future, plant-derived compounds could hold a major share in the array of cancer medicines available for
therapy.
References
Aggarwal BB, Kumar A, Bharti AC (2003) Anticancer potential of curcumin: preclinical and clinical studies. Anticancer Res 23:363–398
Aggarwal BB, Kumar S, Aggarwal S, Shishodia S (2005) Curcumin derived from turmeric
(Curcuma longa): a spice for all seasons. In: Bagchi D, Preuss HG (eds) Phytochmicals in
cancer chemoprevention. CRC press, Hoboken
Aggarwal BB, Ichikawa H, Garodia P, Weerasinghe P, Sethi G, Bhatt ID, Pandey MK, Shishodia
S, Nair MG (2006) From traditional ayurvedic medicine to modern medicine: identification
of therapeutic targets for suppression of inflammation and cancer. Expert Opin Ther Targets
10:87–118
Alagammal M, Paulpriya K, Mohan VR (2013) Anticancer activity of ethanol extracts of Polygala
Javana DC whole plant against Dalton ascites lymphoma. Res J Recent Sci 2:18–22
Aluyen JK, Ton QN, Tran T, Yang AE, Gottlieb HB, Bellanger RA (2012) Resveratrol: potential
as anticancer agent. J Dietary Suppl 9:45–56
Ambasta SP (ed) (2000a) The useful plant of India, 4th edn. National Institution of Sci.
Communication, Delhi, p 239
Ambasta SP (ed) (2000b) The useful plant of India, Fourth edn. National Institution of Sci.
Communication, Delhi, p 243
8 Cancer Combating Biomolecules From Plants