Rosemary and Cancer Prevention: Preclinical Perspectives

Abstract

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in Australia. Nutrition, particularly intake of vegetables and certain plant components, has been reported to have a major role in cancer risk reduction. Recently, there has been a growing research interest in rosemary, a common household plant grown in many parts of the world. This study aims to review scientific evidence from all studies, published from 1996 to March 2010 that examined the protective effects of rosemary on colorectal cancer and other types of cancer. Literature evidence from animal and cell culture studies demonstrates the anticancer potential of rosemary extract, carnosol, carnosic acid, ursolic acid, and rosmarinic acid. No evidence for other rosemary constituents was found. The reported anticancer properties were found to arise through the molecular changes in the multiple-stage process of cancer development, which are dose related and not tissue or species specific. This is evidenced by the ability of rosemary to suppress the development of tumors in several organs including the colon, breast, liver, stomach, as well as melanoma and leukemia cells. The results suggested that the different molecular targets modulated by rosemary and its active constituents are useful indicators of success in clinical cancer chemo-prevention trials.

The use of rosemary extract in combination with nisin to extend the shelf life of pompano (Trachinotus ovatus) fillet during chilled storage

“…have been proved to be against cancer and inflammation diseases in experimental animals and humans (Johnson, 2011;Ngo, Williams, & Head, 2011). Besides, Zhang et al (2010) found that carnosic acid exhibited stronger antioxidant activity than butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), while less than that of tert-butyl hydroquinone (TBHQ) in sunflower oil; moreover, Jiang et al (2011) identified that rosemary extract had strong antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and -negative bacteria.…”

In vitro Anticancer Activity and Antioxidant Properties of Essential Oils from Populus alba L. and Rosmarinus officinalis L. from South Eastern Anatolia of Turkey

“…9,10 Recent studies revealed that rosemary EOs have greater biological effects than its extracts since the EOs have higher contents of major bioactive components, especially polyphenols and phenylpropanoids such as rosmarinic acid, carnosic acids, camphor, camphene, α-pinene, β-pinene, borneol, caryophyllene, limonene, terpineol and myrcene. [8][9][10][11][12] P. alba L., known as white poplar, growing in a wide range of environmental conditions, is belonging to the family Salicaceae and native to central and southern Europe. 13 Although there were some previous investigations on the EO of P. alba , to the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of its in vitro anticancer and antiproliferative activities.…”

“…Possesses a wide range of biological activities and medicinal uses, particularly for the treatment of central nervous system complaints, liver, respiratory and genito-urinary disorders, cancer gastrointestinal and cardiovascular diseases. [6][7][8] In addition to its medicinal uses, it has been used for culinary, food flavoring and spice, cosmetics, and perfumery applications. 9,10 Recent studies revealed that rosemary EOs have greater biological effects than its extracts since the EOs have higher contents of major bioactive components, especially polyphenols and phenylpropanoids such as rosmarinic acid, carnosic acids, camphor, camphene, α-pinene, β-pinene, borneol, caryophyllene, limonene, terpineol and myrcene.…”

Ursolic acid in cancer prevention and treatment: Molecular targets, pharmacokinetics and clinical studies

“…1), an ursane-type pentacyclic triterpenic acid, belongs to the cyclosqualenoid family and is ubiquitous in the leaves and berries of natural medicinal plants, such as Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (L.) Spreng (bearberry), Vaccinium macrocarpon Air. (cranberry), Rhododendron hymenanthes Makino, Rosemarinus officinalis, Eriobotrya japonica, Calluna vulgaris, Ocimum sanctum, and Eugenia jambolana and in the protective wax-like coatings of apples, pears, prunes and other fruits [10]. Ursolic acid may occur as free acid or as aglycone of saponins.…”