Herbs, spices and cancer 145
enzymes in the liver (Padmavathi, et al., 2005). Further, in a long-term tumorigenesis
study, Withania inhibited benzo(a)pyrene-induced forestomach papillomagenesis,
showing up to 60 and 92% inhibition in tumor incidence and multiplicity, respectively.
Similarly, Withania inhibited 7,12-dimethylbenzanthracene-induced skin
papillomagenesis, showing up to 45 and 71% inhibition in tumor incidence and
multiplicity.
Another important traditional herbal medicine used for cancer therapy is Cordyceps
militaris which has been used for patients suffering from cancer in Oriental medicine.
The investigation of biochemical mechanisms of anti-proliferative effects by aqueous
extract of C. militaris in human leukemia U937 cells were associated with the induction
of apoptotic cell death through regulation of several major growth regulatory gene
products such as Bcl-2 family expression and caspase protease activity, and C. militaris
may have therapeutic potential in human leukemia treatment (Park et al., 2005).
Betel leaf (Piper betle) has many medicinal properties and is used in the Indian
system of medicine (Chopra et al., 1954). Investigations have confirmed that the
leaves contain a chemical called hydroxy-chavicol, a phenolic compound that exhibited
suppression of induced mutagenesis (Amonkar et al., 1986).
Botany of some important herbs commonly used in cancer therapy are listed in
section 9.7. A list of other medicinal plants reported to have anticancerous properties is
presented in Table 9.1. Some of them may find importance in cancer therapy in future.
9.7 Botany of some important herbs in cancer therapy......................
9.7.1 Aloe barbadensis (Aloe)
Aloe belongs to the family Liliaceae. The plant is a perennial herb with condensed
stem and succulent leaves arranged in a rosette shape. The exudates of the succulent
fleshy leaves contain a number of therapeutically important compounds such as
aloin, aloe emodin, etc. The species is native to Africa from where it has been
introduced to India.
9.7.2 Andrographis paniculata (Kalmegh)
The plant belongs to the family Acanthaceae. It is an erect branched annual herb with
simple leaves arranged in opposite manner. The whole herbage is bitter
andtherapeutically important. The species is distributed throughout India, Sri Lanka
and Malaysia.
9.7.3 Asparagus racemosus (Satavari)
It is a member of the family Liliaceae and the plant is a spiny, woody climber and
much branched. Cladodes are 2–6 in number per node and arranged in a tuft. Leaves
are modified into erect or sub-recurved spines. The fibrous root system is modified into
fascicular roots for storage and used for medicinal purposes. The species is distributed
throughout tropical and sub-tropical India, Sri Lanka, Australia and tropical Africa.
9.7.4 Catharanthus roseus (Periwinkle)
Periwinkle is a member of the family Apocynaceae. The plant is an erect annual or