Cancer is abnormal cell growth that can spread if untreated. It is caused by factors like chemicals, alcohol, smoking, viruses and genetics. Symptoms include fatigue, nausea, and weight loss. Treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and targeted therapies. Many plants have compounds that may treat cancer by inhibiting cell proliferation or inducing cell death. Examples discussed include vinca alkaloids from Catharanthus roseus, taxanes from Taxus brevifolia, and camptothecin from Camptotheca acuminata. Curcumin, flavonoids, polyphenols from foods like berries and tea may also have anticancer effects. As conventional treatments do not always work, herbal medicines provide a

1. BY:
K.Lavanya ,
M.Pharmacy I year,
Roll.NO.1008-17-884-009

2.  An abnormal growth of cells which tend to
proliferate in an un controlled way
 If untreated – Fatal
 Benign – cancerous cells at one place
 Malignant – cancerous cells spread to other
areas (Metastasis)

3.  Benzene and other chemicals
 Drinking excess alcohol
 Smoking
 EnvironmentalToxins
 Excessive sunlight exposure
 Obesity
 Radiation
 Genetic Problems
 Viruses

4.  Fatigue
 GI toxicity
 Nausea
 Vomiting
 Loss of appetite
 Hair loss.. etc

5.  Surgery
 Chemotherapy
 RadiationTherapy
 Biologic/Targeted therapy
 Natural Products

6.  WHO estimates that 80% of the world
population relies on plant based medicines
for primary health care.
 Safer
 More natural
 Holistic
 Symptom relief (Pain ,Nausea)

7. z
S.No
1.
CLASS
Vinca alkaloids
DRUGS
Vincristine
Vinblastine
PLANT SOURCE
Catharanthus
roseus
(Apocynaceae)
2. Taxanes Paclitaxel
Docetaxel
Taxus brevifolia
(Taxaceae)
3. Epipodophyllotoxin Etoposide Podophyllum
hexandrum
(Berberidaceae)
4. Camptothecin
analouges
Topotecan
Irinotecan
Camptotheca
acuminata
(Nyssaceae)

8.  Vinca alkaloids: vincristine ,vinblastine
 Effective in lymphoma’s,hodgkins
disease,leukamia’s, etc.
 Mechanism:These drugs block the formation
of mitotic spindle by preventing the assembly
of tubulin dimers in to micro tubules.
 They act primarily on M phase of cancer cell
cycle.

9.  Taxanes: paclitaxel,docetaxel.
 Mechanism:These drugs act by interfering
with mitotic spindle.
 They prevent microtubule disassembly in to
tubulin monomers.
 Podophyllum: etoposide
 Acts by inhibiting topoisomerase II
 These drugs are most active in late S phase
and early G2 phase.

10.  Camptothecin: topotecan,irinotecan
 Acts by inhibiting topoisomerase I
Vinca Podophyllum

11. Taxol brevifolia Camptothecin

12.  Curcumin: It has potent irreversible anti
proliferative effects against variety of cancercells.
Show suppression of tumor ,necrosis factor.
 No side effects
 Curcumin( diferuloyl methane) is the active
compound
 Oral administration (12 gms/day for 3 months)
found to inhibit proliferation of cancer cells.
 It is believed to directly induce cancer cell
apoptosis.

13. Curcumin

14.  Chinese skull cap: scutellaria baicalensis
 Anti proliferative and apoptic activity against
acute lymphocytic leukamia,lymphomaand
myeloma cells.
 Inhibits cellular growth.
 Ellagic acid: it is found in different foods such
as pomegranate,berries,etc.
 It was found to inhibit and stop mitosis (cancer
cell division)and apoptosis in several cancer
types.

15.  Flavonoids: polyphenolic compounds
 Purified flavonoids show anticancer activity
against breast cancer,cervical carcinoma.
 Erythrina suberosa stem bark and alpinum
isoflavone shown to have cytotoxic effects in
human leukemia.
 Fern species found that even in low
concentrations ,they still showing high
percentage of anticancer activity.
 Ocimum sanctum –vicenin,orentin.

16. Ocimum Erythrina suberosa

17.  Polyphenols: include
flavonoids,tannins,resveratrol and galla catechins.
 Polyphenols thought to have apoptosis inducing
properties.
 Resveratrol: found in peanuts,grapes and red
wine.
 It is capable of DNA degradation.
 Galla catechins: present in green tea.
 Polyphenols in a person’s diet can improve health
and reduce risk of cancers by being natural
antioxidants.

18.  As conventional therapeutic strategies fail to
fulfill major requirements for a successful
cancer therapy . Use of herbal drugs has
evolved as an alternative safe ,low cost and
convenient one .
 With the growing interest in health and
wellness ,alternative medicines are becoming
increasing popular.