Li-Juan Xiu1, Da-Zhi Sun1, Jian-Peng Jiao1, Bing Yan1, Zhi-Feng Qin1, Xuan Liu1, Pin-Kang Wei2, Xiao-Qiang Yue3. 1. Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai Changzheng Hospital, Shanghai 200003, China. 2. Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai Changzheng Hospital, Shanghai 200003, China. Electronic address: czzyk73@163.com. 3. Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai Changzheng Hospital, Shanghai 200003, China. Electronic address: yuexiaoqiang@163.com.
Abstract
ETHONOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Cancer is considered to be the second leading cause of human death. It is unsatisfactory that in the past decades, the treatment for cancer has not progressed as fast as it was expected, as only 50% of newly diagnosed patients could be cured even today. The development of cancer is a multifactorial process, involving tumor cells themselves, the interactions between tumor cells and their microenvironments, as well as the interactions between tumor cells and the host's immunity. Focusing on any single goal may bring limited benefits. AIM AND METHODS OF THE STUDY: Phlegm-eliminating herbs, which can reduce phlegm and eliminate pathological metabolites, are commonly used to treat cancer in China. However, the underlying molecular targets and efficacy of herbal medicines in cancer treatment still remain unclear. In this study, we reviewed the potential anticancer mechanisms of some phlegm-eliminating herbs and their active ingredients from the articles through such scientific databases as MEDLINE, PubMed, and Google Scholar. RESULTS: We found that the anticancer mechanisms of phlegm-eliminating herbs and ingredients include inducing apoptosis, anti-proliferation, preventing tumor invasion and metastasis, and reducing resistance to chemotherapy. In addition, some phlegm-eliminating herbs and their ingredients have anti-inflammatory and anti-metabolic syndrome effects. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that the phlegm-eliminating herbs and ingredients are potential candidates for anticancer treatment and cancer prevention by playing a comprehensive role.
ETHONOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Cancer is considered to be the second leading cause of humandeath. It is unsatisfactory that in the past decades, the treatment for cancer has not progressed as fast as it was expected, as only 50% of newly diagnosed patients could be cured even today. The development of cancer is a multifactorial process, involving tumor cells themselves, the interactions between tumor cells and their microenvironments, as well as the interactions between tumor cells and the host's immunity. Focusing on any single goal may bring limited benefits. AIM AND METHODS OF THE STUDY: Phlegm-eliminating herbs, which can reduce phlegm and eliminate pathological metabolites, are commonly used to treat cancer in China. However, the underlying molecular targets and efficacy of herbal medicines in cancer treatment still remain unclear. In this study, we reviewed the potential anticancer mechanisms of some phlegm-eliminating herbs and their active ingredients from the articles through such scientific databases as MEDLINE, PubMed, and Google Scholar. RESULTS: We found that the anticancer mechanisms of phlegm-eliminating herbs and ingredients include inducing apoptosis, anti-proliferation, preventing tumor invasion and metastasis, and reducing resistance to chemotherapy. In addition, some phlegm-eliminating herbs and their ingredients have anti-inflammatory and anti-metabolic syndrome effects. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that the phlegm-eliminating herbs and ingredients are potential candidates for anticancer treatment and cancer prevention by playing a comprehensive role.
Authors: Fabia De Oliveira Andrade; Wei Yu; Xiyuan Zhang; Elissa Carney; Rong Hu; Robert Clarke; Kevin FitzGerald; Leena Hilakivi-Clarke Journal: Endocr Relat Cancer Date: 2019-03-01 Impact factor: 5.678