Herb and Spices in Colorectal Cancer Prevention and Treatment: A Narrative Review

Abstract

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most deadly cancer worldwide. CRC management is challenging due to late detection, high recurrence rate, and multi-drug resistance. Herbs and spices used in cooking, practised for generations, have been shown to contain CRC protective effect or even be useful as an anti-CRC adjuvant therapy when used in high doses. Herbs and spices contain many bioactive compounds and possess many beneficial health effects. The chemopreventive properties of these herbs and spices are mainly mediated by the BCL-2, K-ras, and MMP pathways, caspase activation, the extrinsic apoptotic pathway, and the regulation of ER-stress-induced apoptosis. As a safer natural alternative, these herbs and spices could be good candidates for chemopreventive or chemotherapeutic agents for CRC management because of their antiproliferative action on colorectal carcinoma cells and inhibitory activity on angiogenesis. Therefore, in this narrative review, six different spices and herbs: ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe), turmeric (Curcuma longa L.), garlic (Allium sativum L.), fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.), sesame (Sesamum indicum L.), and flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) used in daily cuisine were selected for this study and analyzed for their chemoprotective or chemotherapeutic roles in CRC management with underlying molecular mechanisms of actions. Initially, this study comprehensively discussed the molecular basis of CRC development, followed by culinary and traditional uses, current scientific research, and publications of selected herbs and spices on cancers. Lead compounds have been discussed comprehensively for each herb and spice, including anti-CRC phytoconstituents, antioxidant activities, anti-inflammatory properties, and finally, anti-CRC effects with treatment mechanisms. Future possible works have been suggested where applicable.

Dendrimer-Mediated Delivery of Anticancer Drugs for Colon Cancer Treatment

“…These drugs have also been used in combinations, including the FOLFOX regimen, FOLFIRI regimen, and XELOX, with or without a monoclonal antibody agent, for enhanced anticancer activity [ 19 ]. Moreover, several natural compounds, including curcumin (CUR), piperlongumine (PPL), resveratrol (RES), quercetin (QUE), and gallic acid (GA) have clinically being studied as successful therapeutic molecules against CC ( Figure 1 ) [ 20 ].…”

Spice-Derived Bioactive Compounds Confer Colorectal Cancer Prevention via Modulation of Gut Microbiota

“…Studies have shown that spices and their bioactive compounds may inhibit or even activate pathways related to cell division, proliferation, and detoxification, in addition to immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects [ 120 ]. The chemopreventive properties of spice-derived phytochemicals are mainly attributed to the regulation of B-cell leukemia/lymphoma 2 protein, K-ras, MMP pathways, apoptotic pathway, and caspase activation [ 71 ]. Considering the scope of the current review, a link between gut microbial modulation by spices and the prevention of CRC pathogenesis has been comprehensively discussed in the sections below.…”

“…The previous similar reviews [ 71 , 72 ] focused their attention on the molecular basis of CRC linking the antioxidant/anti-inflammatory activities of these spices or other diet-derived phytochemicals and CRC pathogenesis. In some cases, recent articles also considered the relationship between the dietary compounds and the gut microbiota-derived metabolites without considering that these two aspects are essential for CRC prevention.…”

Attitude and practice of Yemeni physicians toward the integration of herbal medicines into patient care practice

“…A study conducted by Aziz, 2004 with the aim to identify factors which predict the recommendation of herbal medicines by physicians, reported that 19% of physicians recommended herbal medicines to patients, and the factors affecting their recommendations were: general interest, interest in receiving training, race and a higher level of medical training [13]. However, physicians can integrate herbal medicines into their practice in order to achieve the desired outcomes of treating their patients, relief their symptoms, decreasing the length of hospitalization, decrease the cost of therapy, but at the same time, they should take in their consideration the potentially related problems of herbal medicines such as interactions, herbal adverse reactions, herbal contraindications, counterfeit & adulterations of herbal medicines/products and other related problems which could increase their morbidity, mortality, admission to the hospitals, increase the length of hospitalization, increase the cost of therapy as well as affecting their quality of life [1,[4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14]. There is a lack of studies about the attitude and practice of physicians toward the integration of herbal medicines into patient care practice.…”

“…There are many factors that could affect the integration of herbal medicines by healthcare professionals, such as scienti c, cultural, educational, and legal factors [3]. People in Yemen as well as other developing and developed countries, use herbal medicines for their diseases/conditions for many reasons, regardless of their safety issues [1,[4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23]. A study conducted by Aziz, 2004 with the aim to identify factors which predict the recommendation of herbal medicines by physicians, reported that 19% of physicians recommended herbal medicines to patients, and the factors affecting their recommendations were: general interest, interest in receiving training, race and a higher level of medical training [13].…”