Inhibition of Prostate Cancer-Cell Proliferation by Essiac®

Abstract

Essiac preparations may be able to inhibit tumor cell growth while enhancing immune response to antigenic stimulation. This may be especially valuable in immune-suppressed individuals.

Anti-leukemic activity of a four-plant mixture in a leukemic rat model

“…Modification of suppressed T cell function plays a significant role in cancer treatment modalities (Knutson & Disis, 2005), and enhancement of CD8+ activity by Essiac® was considered as an interesting mechanism for further investigation of the purported anticancer effects of Essiac® (Seely et al, 2007). In addition, Essiac® was also reported to have a greater cytotoxicity for neoplastic cells than normal cells (Ottenweller, Putt, Blumenthal, Dhawale, & Dhawale, 2004;Tai et al, 2004).…”

“…Essiac® is not used by breast cancer patients only but also by patients suffering from a variety of cancers (Fraser & Allen, 1977). Essiac® has been shown to inhibit cell proliferation and induce differentiation in human prostate cancer cell lines (Ottenweller et al, 2004;Tai et al, 2004).…”

Essiac tea: Scavenging of reactive oxygen species and effects on DNA damage

“…Flor-Essence, a tea that is similar to Essiac, but contains four additional herbs watercress (Rorippa microphylla), blessed thistle (Carbenia benedictus), red clover (Trifolium pretense), and kelp (Hexagrammos decagrammus), did not prevent, but actually promoted DMBA-induced mammary tumor initiation in Sprague-Dawley rats (Bennett et al, 2004). In vitro, Essiac has been shown to inhibit cell proliferation and induce differentiation in human prostate cancer cell lines (Ottenweller et al, 2004;Tai et al, 2004).…”

Essiac® and Flor-Essence® herbal tonics stimulate the in vitro growth of human breast cancer cells

“…Two other studies have been recently published, demonstrating the effect of Essiac Ò and/or Flor-Essence Ò on human cell lines [56,57] [57].…”