Medicinal herbs in treating chemotherapy‐induced nausea and vomiting: A review

Abstract

Cancer development entangles with mutation and selection for cells that progressively increase capacity for proliferation and metastasis at the cellular level. Surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy are the standard treatments to manage several types of cancer. Chemotherapy is toxic for both normal and cancer cells and can induce unfavorable conditions, such as chemotherapy‐induced nausea and vomiting (CINV), that reduce patients' quality of life. Emesis after chemotherapy is categorized into two classes acute and delayed. Since ancient times, herbal medicines have been used in various cultures to manage stomachache, vomiting, and nausea. In this manuscript, the antiemetic mechanisms of several herbal medicines and their preparations such as Zingiber officinale (5‐HT, NK‐1 receptor and muscarinic antagonist activity), Mentha spicata (5‐HT antagonist activity), Scutellaria baicalensis (antioxidant activity), Persumac (useful in delayed phase through antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, and anti‐contractile properties) and Rikkunshito (supportive in acute and delayed phase through 5‐HT receptor antagonist activity) have been reviewed to show their potential effects on decreasing CINV and attract scientists attention to formulate more herbal medicine to alleviate CINV in cancer patients. However, it is crucial to say that additional high‐quality investigations are required to firmly verify the clinical effectiveness and safety of each plant/compound.

Therapeutic potential of hypnotic herbal medicines: A comprehensive review

“…It grows naturally in temperate parts of Europe, Asia, and North America (Azizi et al, 2020). Traditional herbal therapy has employed the roots of V. officinalis as a sedative, anti‐spasmodic, anxiolytic, antiemetic, and antidepressant, as well as to treat cardiac arrhythmia and sleep problems (Azizi et al, 2020; Mulyawan et al, 2020a; Rajabalizadeh et al, 2022). Glutamate, valepotriates, hydroxy pinoresinol, alkaloids (catinidin, actinidin, valerin, and valerianin), and volatile oil (valerinic acid, sesquiterpenes, and menoterpene bornyl acetate) are all components of V. officinalis .…”