Natural Anti-Cancer Agents
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Natural Anti-Cancer Agents
Garlic Mechanisms of action: 1. enzyme stimulator 2. carcinogen blocker 3. immune system modulation 4. reduced angiogenesis 5. reduced platelet aggregation 6. increased fibrinolysis Garlic
Essiac Tea History of formula Ojibwa Rene Caisse Resperin/FlorEssence Politics of treatment Research with Dr. Fischer Practicing in Bracebridge 1938 Petition versus Kirby Bill Results of clinical research done in the 1980’s indicated inconclusive results on the tea itself Burdock (Arctium lappa) Historically used against tumors in China, Japan, Spain, and Chile Benzaldehyde has been isolated from burdock Antitumor activity shown in animal tumor systems (1960’s) An antimutation factor isolated by Japanese scientists Active in vitro
against HIV Slippery elm (Ulma fulva) Medicine for sore throats Plant mucilage gives it a “slippery” texture Often used as a tea by those undergoing radiation to the respiratory or digestive tract Relieves acid conditions of stomach when used as a tea Used externally on tumors and cysts Added to herbal protocols for lung conditions Turkey rhubarb (Rheum palmatum) Suspicious inclusion (not indigenous to America) Grown in China, imported via Turkey Emodin, catechin, and rhein have shown some antitumor activity in animal test systems Sheep sorrel (Acetosella vulgaris) Advocated as cancer treatment in middle ages Key ingredient in Essiac/many citations in herbal medicine Aloe emodin shows significant antileukemic activity Oxalic acid, tannic acid Shiitake (Lentinus edodes) Light amber fungi found on fallen broadleaf trees Indigenous to Japan, China, and other Asian countries Second most commonly produced edible mushroom in the world Used for diseases
involving depressed immune function Shiitake Lentinan (beta (1-3) glucan polysaccharide) LEM (Lentinula edodes mycelia)= an extract preparation of the mycelium Shiitake 1. Stimulates production/function of white blood cells 2. Inhibits metastasis 3. Prevents chemical and viral oncogenesis 4. Stimulates helper T-cells 5. Reduces synthesis of immune-suppressive prostaglandins Maitake (Grifola frondosa) Indigenous to Japan (expensive) Studies have shown antitumor, anti-HIV, antihypertension, antidiabetes, antiobesity, and antihepatitis activities Maitake D-fraction (one of the most potent enhancers of immune system Highest degree of cancer inhibition among medicinal mushrooms Maitake Research being done mostly in Japan; some extensive critical trials in the U.S. Synergistic study with Mitomycin-C, a chemotherapeutic drug (80% tumor shrinkage with maitake; 30% tumor shrinkage with MMC; 98% synergistic tumor shrinkage) Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) Reddish-orange to black Grows exclusively on hardwoods, especially oaks In Japan, 99% are found on Japanese plum trees (rare- few/100,000 trees) Range includes Americas, Europe, and Asia Traditionally used in China for asthenia-type syndromes (deficiency of energy) Reishi In Asia, used for heart disease, bronchitis, hypertension, and cancer Polysaccharides Beta-D-glucan and GL-1 show potent action against sarcoma Effective in the
treatment of leukopenia induced by radiation or chemical agents Cloud
fungus (Coriolus versicolor) Fan-shaped fruiting bodies grow in overlapping clusters on dead logs Range: common worldwide In China, used for infections of the upper respiratory, urinary, and digestive tracts; general immune weakness and tumors Cloud fungus Proteoglycans: PSK/PSP (PSK has beta-1,3 linkages as in lentinan) Coriolan: an antitumor polysaccharide that does not contain nitrogen Clinical trial results: extension of survival by 5 or more years for gastrointestinal, nasopharynx, and lung cancers Cloud
fungus General Effects: Boosts immune cell production Enhances activity of dendritic and cytotoxic T-cells Antiviral activity Ameliorates
chemotherapy symptoms Almond Oil Local anesthetic/muscle relaxer Demulcent, emollient Bitter almonds and figs both contain the active anti-cancer principal ingredient benzaldehyde Almond oil contains 95%benzaldehyde Almond Oil A benzaldehyde derivative, 4,6-Benzylidene-D-glucose, has demonstrated carcinostatic properties: -Decreases uptake of thymodine and adenine which leads to decreased level of ATP in cancer cells; no effect on normal cells Benzaldehyde also present in burdock Green Tea (Camellia sinensis) Comparison to black tea (during fermentation polyphenols converted to less reactive substances) Some research supports the possibility that black tea increases the risk of certain cancers Polyphenols: EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate) Green Tea EGCG blocks interaction of tumor promoters, hormones, and growth factors with their receptors Blocks formation of nitrosamines thereby suppressing the activation of carcinogens Increases the activity of antioxidant enzymes Polyphenolic fractions (GTP) fed to mice increase the activities of glutathione peroxidase, catalase, and quinone peroxidase Epidemiological evidence Grapeseed Extract (Vitis vinifera) Procyanidolic oligomers (PCOs)= complexes of flavonoids (polyphenols) 1. Increases intracellular vitamin C levels 2. Decreases capillary permeability/fragility 3. Antioxidant Grapeseed extract Resveratrol (phytoalexin) 1. Inhibits cellular processes associated with tumor initiaion, promotion, and progression (Mgbonyebi et al 1998) 2. Plays a role in preventing heart attacks 3. Found in wine at twice the level as grape juice Epidemiological support Johanna Brandt and
the Grape Cure (1920’s) Boik, John. 1996. Cancer and Natural Medicine. Princeton, MN: Oregon Medical Press. Diamond, W. John et al. 1997. An Alternative Medicine Definitive Guide to Cancer. Tiburon, CA: Future Medicine Publishing, Inc. Hobbs, Christopher. 1986. Medicinal Mushrooms. Santa Cruz, CA: Botanica Press. Moss, Ralph W. 1998. Herbs Against Cancer: History and Controversy. Brooklyn, NY: Equinox Press, Inc. References Werbach, Melvyn R. and Michael T. Murray. 1994. Botanical Influences on Illness: A Sourcebook of Clinical Research. Tarzana, CA: Third Line Press. Yance, Donald R. 1999. Herbal Medicine, Healing, & Cancer. Chicago: Keats Publishing.
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