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Review
. 2012 Summer;5(3):144-56.

Evaluation of effectiveness of herbal medication in cancer care: a review study

Javad Tavakoli  1 , Solaleh Miar  1 , Mohammad Majid Zadehzare  1 , Hossein Akbari  1
Affiliations
Review

Evaluation of effectiveness of herbal medication in cancer care: a review study

Javad Tavakoli et al. Iran J Cancer Prev. 2012 Summer.

Abstract

Based on a common belief, herbal medicine with the least possible side effects should be the center of attention in cancer care; however, in many cases they have not been properly studied with reliable clinical trials in human subjects. In this review, it was attempted to identify the available evidence on the use and clinical effects of herbs in cancer care. The research consists of two major parts including immunomodulator and chemopreventive herbal compounds whose mechanism, biological response, anticancer element of extract and related benefits were completely studied. Also, the safety of herbal anticancer compounds was discussed. Although the use of herbal medicines in treating cancer shows less chemotherapy-induced, toxicity, more researches are required to reach their full therapeutic potentials.

Keywords: Immunologic factors; Neoplasms; Plants; Prevention; Safety.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Active components from herbal medicine
Figure 2
Figure 2
Chemical structures of selected active components in plants. (*can have a ketone group: 11-keto-ß boswellic acid. ‡can be acetylated: acetyl-ß boswellic acid. Both modifications together, result in acetyl- 11-keto-ß-boswellic acid.)
Figure 3
Figure 3
Sources of traditional drugs
Figure 4
Figure 4
Adaptogenic and immunomdalaling herbs
Figure 5
Figure 5
Molecular targets of chemopreventive compounds
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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