Indian Medicinal Plant May Combat Liver Cancer

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Indian Medicinal Plant May Combat Liver Cancer

ScienceDaily (Jan. 17, 2008) — Liver cancer is the fifth most common cancer in

the world with a poor prognosis. About three quarters of the cases of liver

cancer are found in Southeast Asia, including China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Korea,

India, and Japan. The frequency of liver cancer in Southeast Asia and

sub-Saharan Africa is greater than 20 cases per 100,000 population. Moreover,

recent data show the frequency of liver cancer in the U.S. overall is rising.

With the increasing trend in the incidence of cancers in our country, biomedical

research directed at early detection and diagnosis, prognosis and survival, as

well as prevention of progression of malignancy, is of prime importance. The aim

of cancer chemoprevention is to circumvent the development and progression of

malignant cells through the use of non-cytotoxic nutrients, herbal

preparations/natural plant products, and/or pharmacological agents.

Encouraging dietary intake with herbal supplements may therefore be an effective

strategy to limit DNA lesions and organic injuries leading to cancers and other

chronic degenerative diseases.

A research team led by Prof. Malay Chatterjee from Jadavpur University

investigated the primary chemopreventive mechanisms of Acanthus ilicifolius in

an in vivo tumor-transplanted murine model. A. ilicifolius, popularly known as

¡°Harkach Kanta¡± is distributed widely throughout the mangroves of India,

including Sunderbans in West Bengal, west coasts, and the Andamans, and in other

Asian countries like Singhal, Burma, China, Thailand etc.

The results showed the aqueous leaf extract (ALE) of the plant was substantially

effective in preventing hepatic DNA alterations and sister-chromatid exchanges

(a type of chromosomal damage) in tumor-bearing mice. The study further

demonstrated that ALE treatment was able to limit liver metallothionein

expression, a potential marker for cell proliferation, and lengthen the mean

survival of animals to a significant extent. The findings suggest that A.

ilicifolius may be used as a potential chemoprotector against hepatic neoplasia.

This research from Prof. Chatterjee¡¯s laboratory opens up a promising avenue in

cancer chemoprevention with the use of indigenous plants. The results obtained

from this in vivo study seem interesting and encouraging. Lack of toxicity

favors further preclinical evaluation of A. ilicifolius in a defined chemical

carcinogenesis model. Elucidation of its anticarcinogenic mechanisms of action

at the intricate molecular circuits, and isolation and characterization of its

active principles, will provide a better understanding of the

anti-cancer/chemoprevention strategy of A. ilicifolius. If these studies are

found to be really functional, we will have the beginning of a new

chemoprevention program with herbal supplements that could have the broadest

implications for the well-being of society.

Journal reference: Chakraborty T, Bhuniya D, Chatterjee M, Rahaman M, Singha D,

Chatterjee BN, Datta S, Rana A, Samanta K, Srivastawa S, Maitra SK, Chatterjee

M. Acanthus ilicifolius plant extract prevents DNA alterations in a

transplantable Ehrlich ascites carcinoma-bearing murine model. World J

Gastroenterol 2007; 13(48): 6538-6548

http://www.wjgnet.com/1007-9327/13/6538.asp

Adapted from materials provided by World Journal of Gastroenterology, via

EurekAlert!, a service of AAAS.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080116092443.htm

_________________________________________________________________

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[Guest guest]

Indian Medicinal Plant May Combat Liver Cancer

ScienceDaily (Jan. 17, 2008) — Liver cancer is the fifth most common cancer in

the world with a poor prognosis. About three quarters of the cases of liver

cancer are found in Southeast Asia, including China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Korea,

India, and Japan. The frequency of liver cancer in Southeast Asia and

sub-Saharan Africa is greater than 20 cases per 100,000 population. Moreover,

recent data show the frequency of liver cancer in the U.S. overall is rising.

With the increasing trend in the incidence of cancers in our country, biomedical

research directed at early detection and diagnosis, prognosis and survival, as

well as prevention of progression of malignancy, is of prime importance. The aim

of cancer chemoprevention is to circumvent the development and progression of

malignant cells through the use of non-cytotoxic nutrients, herbal

preparations/natural plant products, and/or pharmacological agents.

Encouraging dietary intake with herbal supplements may therefore be an effective

strategy to limit DNA lesions and organic injuries leading to cancers and other

chronic degenerative diseases.

A research team led by Prof. Malay Chatterjee from Jadavpur University

investigated the primary chemopreventive mechanisms of Acanthus ilicifolius in

an in vivo tumor-transplanted murine model. A. ilicifolius, popularly known as

¡°Harkach Kanta¡± is distributed widely throughout the mangroves of India,

including Sunderbans in West Bengal, west coasts, and the Andamans, and in other

Asian countries like Singhal, Burma, China, Thailand etc.

The results showed the aqueous leaf extract (ALE) of the plant was substantially

effective in preventing hepatic DNA alterations and sister-chromatid exchanges

(a type of chromosomal damage) in tumor-bearing mice. The study further

demonstrated that ALE treatment was able to limit liver metallothionein

expression, a potential marker for cell proliferation, and lengthen the mean

survival of animals to a significant extent. The findings suggest that A.

ilicifolius may be used as a potential chemoprotector against hepatic neoplasia.

This research from Prof. Chatterjee¡¯s laboratory opens up a promising avenue in

cancer chemoprevention with the use of indigenous plants. The results obtained

from this in vivo study seem interesting and encouraging. Lack of toxicity

favors further preclinical evaluation of A. ilicifolius in a defined chemical

carcinogenesis model. Elucidation of its anticarcinogenic mechanisms of action

at the intricate molecular circuits, and isolation and characterization of its

active principles, will provide a better understanding of the

anti-cancer/chemoprevention strategy of A. ilicifolius. If these studies are

found to be really functional, we will have the beginning of a new

chemoprevention program with herbal supplements that could have the broadest

implications for the well-being of society.

Journal reference: Chakraborty T, Bhuniya D, Chatterjee M, Rahaman M, Singha D,

Chatterjee BN, Datta S, Rana A, Samanta K, Srivastawa S, Maitra SK, Chatterjee

M. Acanthus ilicifolius plant extract prevents DNA alterations in a

transplantable Ehrlich ascites carcinoma-bearing murine model. World J

Gastroenterol 2007; 13(48): 6538-6548

http://www.wjgnet.com/1007-9327/13/6538.asp

Adapted from materials provided by World Journal of Gastroenterology, via

EurekAlert!, a service of AAAS.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080116092443.htm

_________________________________________________________________

Climb to the top of the charts!  Play the word scramble challenge with star

power.

http://club.live.com/star_shuffle.aspx?icid=starshuffle_wlmailtextlink_jan