Plants Used for the Traditional Management of Cancer in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa: A Review of Ethnobotanical Surveys, Ethnopharmacological Studies and Active Phytochemicals

Abstract

Cancer occurrence is rapidly increasing all over the world, including in developing countries. The current trend in cancer management requires the use of herbal remedies since the majority of anticancer drugs are known to be costly, with unwanted side effects. In the Eastern Cape province, the use of medicinal plants for cancer management has been climbing steadily over the past two decades due to their cultural belief, low cost, efficacy, and safety claims. With the aim of identifying some potential anticancer plants for probable drug development, this study was undertaken to review plants reported by ethnobotanical surveys in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa for the traditional management of cancer. Information regarding plants used for cancer management in the Eastern Cape province was obtained from multidisciplinary databases and ethnobotanical books. About 24 plant species belonging to twenty families have been reported to be used for the traditional management of cancer in the Eastern Cape province. Among the anticancer plant species, only 16 species have been explored scientifically for their anticancer activities. This review authenticated the use of anticancer plant species in the Eastern Cape province and, therefore, identified several promising unexplored species for further scientific evaluation.

How Should the Worldwide Knowledge of Traditional Cancer Healing Be Integrated with Herbs and Mushrooms into Modern Molecular Pharmacology?

“…There are several detailed reviews systematizing the use of specific plants for the treatment of oncology in various regions of Africa: Western Africa [ 51 , 69 ], Central, Eastern, and North Africa [ 50 ], and South Africa [ 70 , 71 , 72 , 73 ].…”

Application of Quality by Design Approach to the Pharmaceutical Development of Anticancer Crude Extracts of Crocus sativus Perianth

“…These and other compounds determine the anticancer potential of C. sativus [12,31]. Therefore, each of these compounds can be considered as a potential Q-marker of activity.…”

Anticancer Potential and Other Pharmacological Properties of Prunus armeniaca L.: An Updated Overview

“…Most of the studies that have been carried out so far have reported the pharmacological investigation of apricot fruits and seeds. Various parts of the apricot plant are used worldwide as a complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) to treat cancer, and some preliminary clinical studies have already indicated a promising potential for apricot-based products in this field [ 5 ]. The present work aimed to provide up-to-date knowledge on botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacological properties, and the potential use of P. armeniaca L. in the treatment of cancer.…”