Endorphins on Cancer: A Novel Therapeutic Approach

Abstract

Endorphins are natural neuropeptides secreted by anterior pituitary gland through hypothalamus in response to stress full conditions such as physical exercise, yoga and meditation. Stress is also a one of the predisposing factor for cancer by activating inflammatory mediators such as IL-1 and TNF-α, involved in tumor progression. It has stress buster activity by reducing cortisol, analgesic activity by inhibiting substance P, euphoric activity by releasing dopamine and immune-stimulatory activity by activating NK cells, macrophages. It can be used for natural antitumor activity by activating NK cells, macrophage innate immune cells, and has anti-inflammatory activity by inducing IL-12, IL-8 cytokines. It has got it's receptors on the immune cells, binding of endogenous opioids such as beta endorphin to the receptors on the immune cells, activates immune cells. This article briefs about the role of Beta endorphin on cancers and its anticancer activities.

BETA – Endorphins – A Novel Natural Holistic Healer

“…Physical exercise, pranayama, meditation, yoga, music therapy, acupuncture involved in endorphins release [3][4][5][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20]. In the peripheral nervous system, beta-endorphins binds to mu opioid receptors results in decreased release of substance P, a neurotransmitter of pain and inflammation results in analgesic activity and reduce inflammation [2,21,22,24].…”

“…In the central nervous system, beta endorphins binds to mu receptors results in decrease GABA neuro-inhibitory transmitter and release of dopamine neurostimulatory neurotransmitter results in analgesic, euphoric, self-reward, cognitive development and tranquility of mind. It has a stress buster activity by suppressing hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA)-axis activated in response to stress, anger, hatred, jealousy, frustration, depression, release corticotrophic releasing hormone and norepinephrine neuropeptide's through sympathetic nervous system activity, which belong to autonomic nervous system mediated release of inflammatory mediators such as IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α and COX-2 inflammatory mediators activates a key NF-KB transcription factor involved in chronic inflammation, conversion of Th1 to Th2 lymphocyte type, immunemodulation by alteration of T reg cells (T regulatory cells), which otherwise involved in self-tolerance and immune homeostasis, later results in tissue damage and cellular changes by activating matrix-metalloproteases (mmp-2,9) leads to auto-immune diseases [2,5,17,18,[24][25][26].…”

“…Endorphins are natural opioids, potent endogenous morhine, neuropeptide, synthesized and stored in the anterior pituitary gland in response to stress and pain, through release of corticotrophic releasing hormone (CRH) from hypothalamus. Endorphins are of three types, β-endorphins, dynorphins, enkephalins has an affinity for mu, delta, kappa receptors present on nervous system, brain and on immune cells [3][4][5][6]. Beta-endorphins are abundant endorphins, in inflammation receptors of endorphins are increased in peripheral nerves, binding of β-endorphins produced by immune cells to any of the receptors such as mu, kappa, delta on peripheral nerves activate anti-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-18, IL-10, IFN-Gamma [6][7][8][9][10].…”

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“…There are three types of endorphins betaendorphin, enkephalin, and dynorphin binds to mu, kappa, and delta receptors situated on nervous system and immune cells. Betaendorphin is an abundant endorphin, more potent than morphine, synthesized and stored in the anterior pituitary gland, it is a precursor of POMC (Proopiomelanocortin) [1][2][3][4][5][6][7].…”

“…Endorphins are produced during pranayama, mindful meditation, pranic healing, intense physical exercise creates a psychological relaxed state known as "Runner's high", Love, sex, Tender, care, music therapy, acupuncture, Care, Sympathy and Empathy in caring ISSN: 2641-5267 the patient involved in immune stimulatory activity, stress buster activity (Tranquility of mind), anti-inflammatory activity, and analgesic activity [1][2][3]8,9].…”