Phytotherapy in Integrative Oncology-An Update of Promising Treatment Options

Abstract

Modern phytotherapy is part of today's conventional evidence-based medicine and the use of phytopharmaceuticals in integrative oncology is becoming increasingly popular. Approximately 40% of users of such phytopharmaceuticals are tumour patients. The present review provides an overview of the most important plants and nature-based compounds used in integrative oncology and illustrates their pharmacological potential in preclinical and clinical settings. A selection of promising anti-tumour plants and ingredients was made on the basis of scientific evidence and therapeutic practical relevance and included Boswellia, gingko, ginseng, ginger, and curcumin. In addition to these nominees, there is a large number of other interesting plants and plant ingredients that can be considered for the treatment of cancer diseases or for the treatment of tumour or tumour therapy-associated symptoms. Side effects and interactions are included in the discussion. However, with the regular and intended use of phytopharmaceuticals, the occurrence of adverse side effects is rather rare. Overall, the use of defined phytopharmaceuticals is recommended in the context of a rational integrative oncology approach.

Keywords: anticancer; complementary medicine; integrative oncology; medicinal plants; natural products; phytotherapy.

Figure 1

Natural products commonly found in food plants.

Figure 2

Examples of active constituents from Boswellia species.

Figure 3

Representative compounds found in Ginkgo biloba.

Figure 4

The main aglycone scaffolds from ginsenosides found in Panax quinquefolius and Panax ginseng.

Figure 5

Gingerols and Shogaols from Zingiber officinale (Semwal et al., 2015).

Figure 6

Structure of curcumin in two tautomeric forms.

Figure 7

Chemical structures of various drugs potentially affected by the intake of phytopharmaceuticals.