A systematic review of herbal medicines for the treatment of cancer cachexia in animal models

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study is to summarize preclinical studies on herbal medicines used to treat cancer cachexia and its underlying mechanisms. Methods: We searched four representing databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, the Allied and Complementary Medicine Database, and the Web of Science up to December 2016. Randomized animal studies were included if the effects of any herbal medicine were tested on cancer cachexia. The methodological quality was evaluated by the Collaborative Approach to Meta-Analysis and Review of Animal Data from Experimental Studies (CAMARADE) checklist. Results: A total of fourteen herbal medicines and their compounds were identified, including Coptidis Rhizoma, berberine, Bing De Ling, curcumin, Qing-Shu-Yi-Qi-Tang, Scutellaria baicalensis, Hochuekkito, Rikkunshito, hesperidin, atractylodin, Sipjeondaebo-tang, Sosiho-tang, Anemarrhena Rhizoma, and Phellodendri Cortex. All the herbal medicines, except curcumin, have been shown to ameliorate the symptoms of cancer cachexia through anti-inflammation, regulation of the neuroendocrine pathway, and modulation of the ubiquitin proteasome system or protein synthesis. Conclusions: This study showed that herbal medicines might be a useful approach for treating cancer cachexia. However, more detailed experimental studies on the molecular mechanisms and active compounds are needed.

Myricanol 5-fluorobenzyloxy ether regulation of survivin pathway inhibits human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells growth in vitro

“…More than half of known anticancer drugs originated from herbal plants. Natural products remain one of the best reservoirs for new drug discovery [ 28 ]. Our research group previous extracted myricanol from the bark of M. rubra .…”

Recent Advances in Anti-Metastatic Approaches of Herbal Medicines in 5 Major Cancers: From Traditional Medicine to Modern Drug Discovery

“…Among the previous studies, systematic reviews have been conducted on individual cancers [ 42 ], but there has not been a comprehensive study on the five major cancers with high mortality rates worldwide. In addition, the number of research regarding the anti-metastatic effect of herbal medicine is limited and the works are not organized compared to a large number of cancer cachexia studies that have been reported in a wide variety with well-structured forms [ 43 ]. Therefore, we aimed to review the anti-metastatic mechanisms of herbal medicines on five major cancers (lung, colorectal, stomach, liver, and breast).…”

Clinical Pharmacists in Chronic Care

“…Cancer trends in young adults, reflect recent changes in carcinogenic exposures, which could foreshadow the future overall disease burden [378]. Cancer cachexia (anorexia, weight loss, loss of adipose tissue and skeletal muscle) is reported in 30%-80% cancer patients and causes 20% of all cancer deaths [379]. Worldwide, some 60%-80% people depend on alternative medicines [380][381][382], which is also true for nearly 40% to 70% European [383,384], 50% Italian, 40% Korean, 30% British [385] and up to 87% of Australian cancer patients [386].…”