Traditional medicinal plants as anticancer agents from Chhattishgarh, India: An overview
Ritesh Jain1*, Sanmati K. Jain1
1 SLT institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guru Ghasidas Viswavidyalaya Bilaspur. Chhattisgarh,
Abstract An attempt has been made to review some medicinal plants used for the prevention and treatment of cancer in Chhattisgarh. Information on the name of plants, family, parts used and method of preparation has been collected from Ethanobotanical literatures. Information collected has revealed 53 plants species that are used for treatment of cancer in Chhattisgarh. All these plants were further reviewed for scientific evidence, 33 plants out of 53 plants were found for possess anticancer, cytotoxic or antioxidant activity in various preclinical or clinical studies
Introduction Over the past decade, herbal medicines have become a topic of global importance, making an impact on both world health and international trade. Medicinal plants continue to play a central role in the healthcare system of large proportions of the world’s population [1]. This is particularly true in developing countries, where herbal medicine has a long and uninterrupted history of use. Recognition and development of the medicinal and economic benefits of these plants are on the increase in both developing and industrialized nations[2]. Continuous usage of herbal medicine by a large proportion of the population in the developing countries is largely due to the high cost of Western pharmaceuticals and healthcare. In addition, herbal medicines are more acceptable in these countries from their cultural and spiritual points of view [3]. Every year, millions of people are diagnosed with cancer, leading to death in a majority of the cases.According to the American Cancer Society deaths arising from cancer constitute 2–3% of the annual deaths recorded worldwide [4].
Recently, a greater emphasis has been given towards the researches on complementary and alternative medicine that deals with cancer management. Plants have long history of use in the treatment of cancer [5-7]. Several studies have been conducted on herbs under a multitude of ethnobotanical grounds [8-11]. For example, Hartwell has collected data on about 3000 plants, those of which possess anticancer properties and subsequently been used as potent anticancer drugs. Plants derived components have played an important role in the development of several clinically useful anticancer agents. These include vinblastine, vincristine, the camptothecin derivatives, topotecan and irinotecan, etoposide, derived from epipodophyllotoxin and paclitaxel (taxol). Several promising new agents are in clinical development based on selective activity against cancer related molecular targets, including flavopiridol and combretastin A4 phosphate, and some agents which failed in earlier clinical studies are stimulating renewed interest. Sixty percent of currently used anticancer agents are derived in one way oranother from natural sources [12]. Use of plants for medicinal remedies is an integral part of the Indian cultural life, and this is unlikely to change in the years to come. Many traditional healers and herbalists in the Chhattisgarh region of India have been treating cancer patients for many years using various medicinal plant species [13, 14]. Despite the long history of cancer treatment using herbal remedies, the knowledge and experience of these herbalists have not been scientificall ydocumented. Information on traditional herbal practice in the cancer is passed from one generation to the other through oral tradition. Considering the rapid rate of deforestation and loss of biodiversity, there is a need for accurate scientific documentation of the knowledge and experience of these herbalists. Hence, an attempt has been made to review some medicinal plants used for the prevention and treatment of cancer in Chhattisgarh state, India.
Conclusion Medicinal plants maintain the health and vitality of individuals, and also cure various diseases, including cancer without causing toxicity. Plants derived components have played an important role in the development of several clinically useful anticancer agents. In different region of Chhattisgarh many traditional healers use various medicinal plants for treating of various cancer. This review revealed that many of medicinal plants used by traditional healer are reported to have scientific evidence. There is a need to explore the plants which are not reported scientifically by in-vitro or in-vivo screening methods. These plants can provide potential bioactive compounds for the development of new ‘leads’ to combat cancer diseases
Source : International Journal of Phytomedicine 2 (2010) 186-196 Link to Full Article