Anticancer effects of traditional Chinese herbs with phlegm-eliminating properties – An overview. (22nd August 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Xiu, Li-Juan; Sun, Da-Zhi; Jiao, Jian-Peng; Yan, Bing; Qin, Zhi-Feng; Liu, Xuan; Wei, Pin-Kang; Yue, Xiao-Qiang
• Is Part Of: Journal of ethnopharmacology. Volume 172(2015)
• Page Start: 155
• Page End: 161
• Publication Date: 2015-08-22
• Subjects: AMPK AMP-activated protein kinase -- ACC acetyl-CoAcarboxylase -- COX cyclooxygenase -- CDK cyclin-dependent kinase -- CaMK Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase -- CPT Cholinephosphotransferase -- Egr early growth response gene -- ERK extracellular signal-related kinase -- GSH-Px Glutathione peroxidase -- HDL-C High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol -- hTERT human telomerase reverse transcriptase -- HPV human papillomavirus -- iNOS inducible nitric oxide synthase -- IL interleukin -- JNK c-Jun N-terminal kinase -- K-ras Kirsten RAS -- LDL-C low density lipoprotein-cholesterol -- MAPK mitogen-activated protein kinases -- MCP Membrane cofactor protein -- MDA malondialdehyde, multidrug resistance -- MMP matrix metalloproteinase -- NO nitrie oxide -- NF-κB nuclear factor-kappaB -- NK nature killer cell -- PARP poly ADP-ribose polymerase -- PCNA proliferating cell nuclear antigen -- P-gP P-glycoprotein -- PI3K phosphoinositide 3-kinase -- PL phospholipid -- p-Rb phosphorylated retinoblastoma protein -- PRDX peroxiredoxin -- ROS reactive oxygen species -- SOD Superoxide Dismutase -- STAT signal transducer and activator of transcription -- TG triglyceride -- TC cholesterol total -- TIMP tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase -- TNF tumor necrosis factor -- VEGF vascular endothelial growth factor; 3׳, 4׳, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8-heptamethoxyflavone (PubChem CID: 150893) -- deapioplatycodin D (PubChem CID: 86578026) -- glycoprotein (PubChem CID: 439212) -- hesperidin (PubChem CID: 10621) -- limonin (PubChem CID: 179651) -- nobiletin (PubChem CID: 72344) -- platycodin D (PubChem CID: 162859) -- tangeretin (PubChem CID: 68077) -- verticinone (PubChem CID: 167691); Cancer -- Phlegm -- Traditional Chinese medicine -- Herb; Ethnopharmacology -- Periodicals; Pharmacognosy -- Periodicals; Herbs -- Periodicals; Herbs -- Periodicals; Pharmacognosy -- Periodicals; Pharmacognosie -- Périodiques; Herbes -- Périodiques; 615.1
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2015.05.032
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0378-8741

Abstract

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. Graphical abstract: