For centuries, traditional healers and herbalists the world over have used herbs in the treatment of cancer. Increasingly, research is focusing on plant-derived compounds in a search for less toxic yet effective anti-cancer agents. Although many small studies have been done, most are in test tube and animal models. However, several herbs are currently being investigated in clinical trials, and some are showing promise as potent cancer fighters.
Scutellaria barbata
Scutellaria barbata is a Chinese herb in the mint family, and is native to southeastern China. Also known as Ban Zhi Lian, it has been used for hundreds of years to treat various disorders, including several types of cancer. Many studies have revealed the cytotoxic effects of this herb. A drug development company called Bionovo has developed an extract of Scutellaria barbata, termed BZL101, that is being studied in a clinical trial for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer. Results from their Phase 1 trial showed that the extract is toxic to breast cancer cells via several mechanisms.
A study in the August 2009 issue of the European Journal of Cancer Prevention found that an extract of Scutellaria barbata induced apoptosis, or programmed cell death, in a mouse liver cancer cell line.
Additionally, a research article from the Sept. 17, 2004, issue of the journal Life Science concluded that Scutellaria barbata significantly inhibited growth of a human lung cancer cell line.
Artemisia annua
Artemisia annua, also called sweet wormwood, contains terpenoids and flavonoids that have cytotoxic effects on several human cancer cell lines. Most research has focused on two compounds derived from Artemisia annua: artemisinin and artesunate. A study in the Jul-Aug. 24, 2004, issue of Anticancer Research showed that an artemisinin analogue induced rapid cell death of fibrosarcoma tumors in rats.
Further, according to a paper in Expert Reviews in Molecular Medicine, "Artemisinin, a sesquiterpene lactone derived from the sweet wormwood plant Artemisia annua, and its bioactive derivatives exhibit potent anticancer effects in a variety of human cancer cell model systems. The pleiotropic response in cancer cells includes growth inhibition by cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, inhibition of angiogenesis, disruption of cell migration, and modulation of nuclear receptor responsiveness."
Blessed Milk Thistle
Silybum marianum has traditionally been used to protect and heal the liver. It contains antioxidants, and the flavonoid complex silymarin. Many studies have shown that milk thistle flavonoids inhibit liver, lung, prostate and breast cancer cell lines in vitro and in mouse models.
In an article entitled Multitargeted therapy of cancer by silymarin, the authors review a set of studies investigating the role of silymarin in cancer prevention. They also look at silymarin's potential as an agent to reduce chemotherapy and radiation induced toxicity.
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