Novel anticancer agents from plant sources

Preclinical Evaluation of the <i>Enceliacanescens Lam</i> Extract: Medicinal Properties useful for Cancer Treatment

“…As has previously been reported by several authors, antioxidant activity seems to be directly related to anticancer potential 23,28 ; thus, the potent antioxidant activities observed for both the E-ECE and A-ECE extracts might reinforce this idea. Finally, the observed analgesic effects are also interesting because analgesic use is an important issue for cancer patients (NCI, 2015).…”

“…Subsequently, plants became a prime source of highly effective conventional drugs for many cancer treatments 22 , and this process has created a list of many anticancer phytochemicals that includes saponins, sterols, terpenes, flavonoids, and alkaloids among others 8,23 . However, the question presently posed is why some of these compounds are more toxic and occasionally less active than whole-plant extracts.…”

Antiproliferative Activity of Kenyan Trametes versicolor Aqueous Extract on Selected Cancer and Normal Cell Lines

“…A survey done in the year 2008 showed that more than 60% of cancer patients use herbs as therapy [6]. An attempt has been made to explore the potential of newly discovered anticancer compounds from medicinal mushrooms as a lead for anticancer drug development [5]. Mushrooms have key medicinal uses including anticancer activity [7], immunomodulating effects and antiproliferative activity [8].…”

“…According to World Health Organization estimates, more than 80% of people in developing countries depend on traditional medicine for their primary health needs including cancer management [5]. A survey done in the year 2008 showed that more than 60% of cancer patients use herbs as therapy [6].…”

Natural Based Anticancer Drugs and Their Worthiness

“…Furthermore, these cases should be noted: Shikonin (from Lithospermum erythrorhizon), curcuminoid (from Curcuma longa), camptothecin (from Camptotheca acuminate), and ingenol mebutate (from Euphobia peplus), Trastuzumab emtansine (Kadcyla) which is an antibody conjugated to a synthetic derivative of the cytotoxic principle of the Ethiopian plant Maytenus ovatus and used to treat breast cancer. 3 Although more than half of the anticancer compounds used to treat cancer are obtained from plant sources or marine and microorganisms, it seems that there is still little knowledge about the power of natural resources in the face of incurable diseases such as cancer. 4 Finally, the fewer side effects, availability, and lower cost of drugs obtained from plants compared to synthetic samples, especially for cancer patients who have weakened immune systems, make alternative medicine a very important issue.…”