Application Potential of Plant-Derived Medicines in Prevention and Treatment of Platinum-Induced Peripheral Neurotoxicity

Abstract

As observed with other chemotherapeutic agents, the clinical application of platinum agents is a double-edged sword. Platinum-induced peripheral neuropathy (PIPN) is a common adverse event that negatively affects clinical outcomes and patients’ quality of life. Considering the unavailability of effective established agents for preventing or treating PIPN and the increasing population of cancer survivors, the identification and development of novel, effective interventions are the need of the hour. Plant-derived medicines, recognized as ideal agents, can not only help improve PIPN without affecting chemotherapy efficacy, but may also produce synergy. In this review, we present a brief summary of the mechanisms of platinum agents and PIPN and then focus on exploring the preventive or curative effects and underlying mechanisms of plant-derived medicines, which have been evaluated under platinum-induced neurotoxicity conditions. We identified 11 plant extracts as well as 17 plant secondary metabolites, and four polyherbal preparations. Their effects against PIPN are focused on oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction, glial activation and inflammation response, and ion channel dysfunction. Also, ten clinical trials have assessed the effect of herbal products in patients with PIPN. The understanding of the molecular mechanism is still limited, the quality of clinical trials need to be further improved, and in terms of their efficacy, safety, and cost effectiveness studies have not provided sufficient evidence to establish a standard practice. But plant-derived medicines have been found to be invaluable sources for the development of natural agents with beneficial effects in the prevention and treatment of PIPN.

Application of natural polysaccharides and their novel dosage forms in gynecological cancers: therapeutic implications from the diversity potential of natural compounds

“…From the foregoing review, the role of natural products in gynecological cancer treatment is constantly well-known, and its clinical value continues to be valued. Research on natural products has gone deep into improving chemotherapy drugs and tumor immunotherapy ( Xu et al, 2021 ). The diversity of polysaccharides depends mainly on their plants or biological sources, and their unique structure helps them successfully apply in the field of gynecological cancers.…”

Chemotherapy-Mediated Neuronal Aberration

“…Phytochemicals have potent tumoricidal activity against most cancers [ 102 ]. Moreover, previous reports also claim the neuroprotective properties of phytochemicals against chemotherapy-induced neurotoxicity [ 103 ]. Mohamed et al found that Epicatechin, a polyphenolic molecule from green tea, supplemented orally at dosage of 10 mg/kg/day for 2 weeks prior to doxorubicin injection and then for another 2 weeks with doxorubicin.…”