Phytotherapy and Nutritional Supplements on Breast Cancer

Abstract

Breast cancer is the most frequent type of nonskin malignancy among women worldwide. In general, conventional cancer treatment options (i.e., surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, biological therapy, and hormone therapy) are not completely effective. Recurrence and other pathologic situations are still an issue in breast cancer patients due to side effects, toxicity of drugs in normal cells, and aggressive behaviour of the tumours. From this point of view, breast cancer therapy and adjuvant methods represent a promising and challenging field for researchers. In the last few years, the use of some types of complementary medicines by women with a history of breast cancer has significantly increased such as phytotherapeutic products and nutritional supplements. Despite this, the use of such approaches in oncologic processes may be problematic and patient's health risks can arise such as interference with the efficacy of standard cancer treatment. The present review gives an overview of the most usual phytotherapeutic products and nutritional supplements with application in breast cancer patients as adjuvant approach. Regardless of the contradictory results of scientific evidence, we demonstrated the need to perform additional investigation, mainly well-designed clinical trials in order to establish correlations and allow for further validated outcomes concerning the efficacy, safety, and clinical evidence-based recommendation of these products.

Dietary Compound Isoliquiritigenin, an Antioxidant from Licorice, Suppresses Triple-Negative Breast Tumor Growth via Apoptotic Death Program Activation in Cell and Xenograft Animal Models

“…However, the functional differences made by genomically heterogeneous triple-negative breast cancer cells to chemoresistance remain poorly understood [31]. Natural ingredients from plants are widely explored to identify their availability for application in patients with breast cancer as an adjuvant approach [32]. For example, curcumin, a bioactive ingredient of the plant Curcuma longa, exerts an inhibitory effect on triple-negative MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells through upregulation of p21 protein expression and enhancement of the Bax-to-Bcl-2 ratio [33,34].…”

Uncaria tomentosa (Willd. ex Schult.) DC.: A Review on Chemical Constituents and Biological Activities

“…Recently, several studies reported the antioxidant, anti-neoplastic and immunomodulant activities of the alkaloids isolated from the cat's claw [36][37][38]. For instance, Lopes et al [39] revealed that U. tomentosa extract encourages the myeloid precursor's proliferation by increasing serum colony-stimulating growth factors (CSFs). Moreover, in vivo studies demonstrated the effectiveness of aqueous U. tomentosa extract on leukocyte counts in healthy animals and doxorubicin-induced neutropenia [23,40,41].…”

“…Theoretically, it was believed that POA isolated from cat's claw possesses an immunostimulatory effect, therefore, it is contraindicated to be used with immunosuppressant drugs including cyclosporine, azathioprine, daclizumab, basiliximab, mycophenolate, muromonab-CD3, tacrolimus, sirolimus, corticosteroids, prednisone, or other chemotherapeutic drugs recommended for autoimmune disease treatment or after organ transplantation [39,62].…”

An update on Chinese herbal medicines as adjuvant treatment of anticancer therapeutics

“…Ginseng is relatively nontoxic but in high doses (i.e., superior to 3 g ginseng root daily) can confer adverse symptoms such as insomnia, nervous excitation, headaches, and nausea. Ginseng may present steroid/hormone like effects, so in women who have breast or endometrial cancer special attention for its use is recommended (25).…”