From traditional Ayurvedic medicine to modern medicine: identification of therapeutic targets for suppression of inflammation and cancer

Abstract

Cancer is a hyperproliferative disorder that involves transformation, dysregulation of apoptosis, proliferation, invasion, angiogenesis and metastasis. Extensive research during the last 30 years has revealed much about the biology of cancer. Drugs used to treat most cancers are those that can block cell signalling, including growth factor signalling (e.g., epidermal growth factor); prostaglandin production (e.g., COX-2); inflammation (e.g., inflammatory cytokines: NF-kappaB, TNF, IL-1, IL-6, chemokines); drug resistance gene products (e.g., multi-drug resistance); cell cycle proteins (e.g., cyclin D1 and cyclin E); angiogenesis (e.g., vascular endothelial growth factor); invasion (e.g., matrix metalloproteinases); antiapoptosis (e.g., bcl-2, bcl-X(L), XIAP, survivin, FLIP); and cellular proliferation (e.g., c-myc, AP-1, growth factors). Numerous reports have suggested that Ayurvedic plants and their components mediate their effects by modulating several of these recently identified therapeutic targets. However, Ayurvedic medicine requires rediscovery in light of our current knowledge of allopathic (modern) medicine. The focus of this review is to elucidate the Ayurvedic concept of cancer, including its classification, causes, pathogenesis and prevention; surgical removal of tumours; herbal remedies; dietary modifications; and spiritual treatments.

Curcumin potentiates the apoptotic effects of chemotherapeutic agents and cytokines through down-regulation of nuclear factor-κB and nuclear factor-κB–regulated gene products in IFN-α–sensitive and IFN-α–resistant human bladder cancer cells

“…Thus, curcumin may mediate its effects by targeting more than one cell signaling pathway (26). This is consistent with recent reports that multitargeted therapy has a better chance of success against cancer than monotargeted therapies (25,28).…”

Targeted inhibition of tumor proliferation, survival, and metastasis by pentacyclic triterpenoids: Potential role in prevention and therapy of cancer

“…The gum resin form the plant Boswellia serrate (Synonym: Salai guggul) has been traditionally used for the treatment of inflammation driven diseases such as arthritis, respiratory diseases and liver disorders [64]. The bioactive components of this resin are boswellic acid (BA) and its derivatives acetyl-b-boswellic acid, 11-keto-b-boswellic acid, and acetyl-11-keto-b-boswellic acid (AKBA) [64].…”

“…The bioactive components of this resin are boswellic acid (BA) and its derivatives acetyl-b-boswellic acid, 11-keto-b-boswellic acid, and acetyl-11-keto-b-boswellic acid (AKBA) [64]. BA was first identified as a potent anti-inflammatory compound that mediated its effect through inhibition of 5-LOX and leukocyte elastase [65].…”

“…BA was first identified as a potent anti-inflammatory compound that mediated its effect through inhibition of 5-LOX and leukocyte elastase [65]. In animal models of inflammation, BA has been shown to be effective against chronic inflammation-driven diseases such as adjuvant or bovine serum albumininduced arthritis, osteoarthritis, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and ileitis, and galactosamine/endotoxin-induced hepatitis in mice [64]. Besides its anti-inflammatory effects, BA also exhibits antitumor effects as indicated by its activity against brain tumors cells, leukemic cells, colon cancer cells, metastatic melanoma, fibrosarcoma, and hepatoma cells [2].…”

“…Natural products of herbal origin have received increasing attention in recent years since the discovery of triterpenoids as novel cancer-preventive and therapeutic agents [64]. 18b-glycyrrhetinic acid (GA) a pentacyclic triterpenoid from the root of Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has been extensively used in traditional medicines as natural sweeteners and flavoring agents [121].…”