The use of herbal supplements remains popular despite safety concerns. This popularity results from the common belief that food products should play an important role in health care. Traditional healers have used herbal remedies for a thousand years, yet little scientific data supports these applications. Emerging research suggests that herbal extracts may contribute to the eradication of cancer. Speak with a doctor before taking herbal drugs.
Hochu-Ekki-To
While the cause of many cancers remains unknown, surgical interventions trigger certain forms. Bile duct surgery, for example, often leads to the delayed appearance of biliary cancer. Herbal drugs may prevent such cancer from developing. A 2009 paper in the "Journal of Surgical Research" looked at the impact of the Japanese supplement hochu-ekki-to on an animal model of bile duct cancer. Hamsters received daily doses of this herbal medication for 22 weeks. Relative to controls, hamsters given hochu-ekki-to showed a 50 percent reduction in bile cancer. Similar results, however, may not be obtained in tests with human subjects.
Red Yeast Rice
The incidence of prostate cancer is increasing rapidly. New cases may increase 64 percent annually within the next few years, according to a 2008 report in the "International Journal of Cancer." Toxic treatments such as chemotherapy remain available for prostate cancer. Yet, the development of safer options has become a priority. A 2011 study described in "Cancer Prevention Research" assessed the potential of red yeast rice. Cancerous mice received this herbal extract or an inert treatment for several weeks. The herb significantly reduced tumor size relative to the saline. It outperformed conventional anti-cancer drugs. Yet, the long-term health effects of red yeast rice remain unknown.
Wild Turmeric
Most forms of colon cancer have decreased, yet some types have become more prevalent. Proximal colon cancer, for example, continues to increase in both men and women. Invasive treatments can enhance the probability of survival, but herbal extracts may provide another option in the future. A 2011 article in "Cancer Biotherapy & Radiopharmaceuticals" tested the effects of Curcuma aromatica on cultured cancer cells. Colon cancer cells were exposed to extracts of this plant, wild turmeric, during a single testing session. Curcuma killed many of the cancerous cells. Larger doses caused greater losses, but no study has established a similar dose-response relationship in human patients.
Skullcap
About one in 10 women will develop breast cancer, and about one in 30 will die from it. Weight gain remains an important risk factor, but losing weight does not lower risk. Other behavioral changes may be necessary. A 2010 experiment presented in "Breast Cancer Research and Treatment" evaluated the use of Scutellaria barbata, skullcap. Women with breast cancer received this herb for various lengths of time. Many patients became stable during treatment and some showed tumor shrinkage. Skullcap did not cause serious side effects, but several women reported diarrhea, fatigue and pain. While suggestive, much work remains before herbal extracts can safely treat cancer.
References
- "Journal Of Surgical Research"; Chemopreventative Effect Of Hochu-Ekki-To (TJ-41) on Chemically Induced Biliary Carcinogenesis In Hamsters; Noritsugu Tsuneoka, et al.; January 2009
- "International Journal of Cancer"; Screening for Prostate Cancer in Dutch Hereditary Prostate Cancer Families; Lambertus A. Kiemeney, et al.; Feb. 15, 2008
- "Cancer Prevention Research"; Chinese Red Yeast Rice Inhibition of Prostate Tumor Growth in SCID Mice; Mee Young Hong, et al.; Jan. 28, 2011
- "Cancer Biotherapy & Radiopharmaceuticals"; Aqueous Extract of Curcuma Aromatica Induces Apoptosis and G2/M Arrest in Human Colon Carcinoma LS-174-T Cells Independent of P53; Bing Hu, et al.; Feb. 28, 2011
- "Breast Cancer Research and Treatment"; Phase 1B Dose Escalation Trial of Scutellaria Barbata (BZL101) for Patients With Metastatic Breast Cancer; Alejandra T. Perez, et al.; February 2010
