NATURAL THERAPY AGAINST CANCER

Under the guidance of:MR. K. SUDHEER SIRDept of Pharmacognosy

Presented by:K. SNEHA13GD1R0002

INTRODUCTION:

Cancer is a group of diseases involving abnormal cell growth with the potential to invade or spread to other parts of body.

CELL CYCLE: Cell cycle is an ordered process of events that occur in 5 stages:-

• G0 Phase (Resting phase)• G1 Phase (Presynthetic phase)• S Phase (Synthetic phase)• G2 Phase (Post Synthetic Phase)• M Phase (Mitosis)

GENETICS OF CANCER:

Only a small number of the approximately 35,000 genes in the human

genome have been associated with cancer. Alterations in the same gene often are

associated with different forms of cancer.

These malfunctioning genes can be broadly classified into three groups.

• The first group, called proto-oncogenesThe mutated forms of these genes are

called oncogenes.

• The second group, called tumor suppressors

• The third group contains DNA repair genes.

MYC is a proto-oncogene that codes for a transcription factor.

RAS is another oncogene that normally functions as an “on-off” switch in the

signal cascade. About thirty percent of tumors — including lung, colon, thyroid,

and pancreatic carcinomas — have a mutation in RAS.

Sometimes a virus inserts its DNA in or near the proto-oncogene, causing it to become an Oncogene. The result of any of these events is an altered form of the gene, which contributes to cancer.

Major control switches of the cell cycle are cyclin-dependent kinasesThere are specific cyclin-dependent kinase/cyclin complexes at the entry points into the G1, S, and M phases of the cell cycle.

TUMOUR BIOLOGY: Cancer cells behave as independent cells, growing without control to form tumours. Tumours grow in a series of steps.• The first step is hyperplasia.• The second step is dysplasia.• The third step is called Anaphlasia. At this stage, because the tumour is still contained within its original location (called in situ) and is not invasive, it is not considered malignant.• The last step occurs when the cells in the tumour metastasize Non-invasive tumours are said to be benign.

There are five types of tumors:

• Carcinomas result from altered epithelial cells, which cover the surface of our skin and internal organs. Most cancers are carcinomas.

• Sarcomas result from changes in muscle, bone, fat, or connective tissue.

• Leukemia results from malignant white blood cells.

• Lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphatic system cells that derive from bone marrow.

• Myelomas are cancers of specialized white blood cells that make antibodies.

REASONS FOR CANCER DEVELOPMENT: We now know that 80 to 90% of all cancers are related to three major groups of risk factors: 1. Nutrition – a high-fat, high-cholesterol, low-fibre, high-sugar diet.

2. Lifestyle – alcohol, smoking, stress, sedentary lifestyle.

3. Environment – industrial toxics, electromagnetic radiation, chemical carcinogens, air and water pollution.

CHARECTERISTICS OF CANCER CELL: These characteristics are:

• Cancer cells have greatly prolonged life spans compared to normal cells.

• Masses of cancer cells may become like parasites, developing their own network of blood vessels and siphoning off key nutrients from the body.

• Cancer cells prefer sugar as source of energy as compared to normal cells which favour oxygen.

• Cancer cells are more sensitive to heat and less able to tolerate high temperature compared to normal cells.

• Cancer cells form a tumour, caused by the abnormal growth.The tumour can invade adjacent normal tissue.

SIDE EFFECTS: The list of side effects that accompany conventional cancer treatment is indeed scary. They include;

• Bone marrow suppression . •Weakness. • Anaemia . •Toxic overload. • Diarrhoea. • Hair loss.

7 STEPS TO BEAT CANCER NATURALLY:

1. Starving the cancer cell.2. Oxygenate your body.3. Avoid malnutrition.4. Use nutritional supplements.5. Balance your Internal terrain.6. Balance your toxic load.7. Balance your toxins.

Here are 10 cancer facts you must know to fight:

1.Mitochondria: The mitochondria is the energy factory of the cell. Cancer cells prefer sugar as a source of energy as compared to normal cells which favour oxygen.As a result, most cancer patients are weak and tired.

2.Free Radicals: Free radicals generated as a result of environmental toxins, stress, processed food, and pollution are a direct cause of cellular mutation and cancer

3.Matrix: Cancer cells spread locally by secreting enzymes that destroy the interstitial collagen that forms the protective intercellular matrix. Reinforcing of this matrix is akin to building a wall and preventing the cancer cells from advancing.

4.Temperature : Cancer cells are more sensitive to heat and less able to tolerate high temperature compared to normal cells.

5.Angiogenesis: Cancer cells spread to distant sites by angiogenesis (formation of new blood vessel.Some non-toxic compounds have been shown to retard this process.

6. Toxins: Many cancers come on because of an excess of toxins and a compromised toxin clearance mechanism in the body. Detoxification is a key to cancer control. The liver, skin, kidney, and lung are major detoxification centers of the body.

7. Internal Terrain: Our body is an internal closed ecosystem. The proper balance of this internal terrain by maintaining its equilibrium, for example an optimum acid/base balance, is a key to preventing a buildup of unwanted bacteria, fungus, and proteins (like prions) in the body which can bring on cancer.

8. Immunity: Our first line of defense against assaults by external agents in our body is our immune system. Those who are immunologically strong have a better chance of surviving cancer.

9. Hormones :Most cancers have a hormonal component. The imbalance of our hormones is a major cause of many cancers, including breast and prostate cancer. Modulation and correction of hormonal imbalance naturally will correct the systemic dysfunction upon which hormonal sensitive cancer is kept under control.

10. Inflammation: Infections, poor dietary habit or high sugar and trans-fat are potential carcinogens that leads to mutational changes .

NATURAL THERAPIES AGAINST CANCER: Cancer inhibitory effect of most natural compounds does not directly cause DNA damage ,as compared to drugs. They cause mutations in surviving cells & act specifically on cancerous cells without affecting normal cells. Specifically, natural compounds fight cancer by:1.Strengthening the immune system.

2. Preventing the spread of cancer cells through inhibition of angiogenesis. 3.Creating an environment that is unfavourable for cancer growth.

4. Detoxifying the body and preventing further toxic build up in the body.

5.Fighting free radicals that cause mutational changes that lead to cancer formation.

First of all Start daily with a good fundemental formula consisting of atleast following:

•Vitamin A•Vitamin C•Vitamin E•Selenium•Magnesium•Vitamin B9

• Vitamin B12

• Zinc •Calcium•Citrous Bioflavonoids. Following Anti-cancer nutrients may be required:•Vitamin E•Niacinamide•Fish oil•Qercetin•Beta carotene•Pantothenic acid•Grape seed extract

To boost immunity, following are considered:

•Turmeric extract•Olive leaf extract•Medical mushroom extractSOME OF THE AGENTS HAVING ANTI-CANCER ACTIVITY:

1.CURCUMIN: The most potent Natural compound against cancers: curcumin appears to be universally useful for just about every type of cancer.

It acts by: a) Induction of p53/p21 Pathway b) Release of Apoptosis-Inducing Factor c) Cell Cycle Regulation

2. 6-SHOGAOL (Extract of GINGER): The chemical, known as 6-shogaol, is produced when ginger roots are dried or cooked.

• The researchers found that 6-shogaol targets breast cancer stem cells along several different pathways, including altering the cell cycle to increase the rate of cell death, inhibiting tumour formation, directly inducing programmed cell death.

• The researchers then compared the cytotoxicity of 6-shogaol against human breast cancer stem cells with that of the widely used chemotherapy drug Taxol.

3. BEC5 (Eggplant Extract):

The discovery of BEC5 - Solasidine Glycoside -extracted from eggplant and Devil's Apple. This is the best available cure for malignant and non malignant skin cancers.• Stage III trials have confirmed that 8 weeks of topical application of BEC5 cream cured 78% of the skin cancer.• 12 weeks of topical use twice a day cured it 100%! without leaving any scar or harming the surrounding normal skin Now BEC is in trials for internal cancers and early results are promising.

4. SALINOMYCIN:

 Salinomycin is made by a strain of  streptomyces albus. Streptomyces is a form of bacteria, usually found in soil.

Its a naturally occurring antibiotic. Salinomycin is not only able to kill CSCs, but also regular tumor cells displaying resistance to cytotoxic drugs, radiation, and induction of apoptosis  hence salinomycin can be regarded as a triple-edged sword against cancer.

5. CRUCIFEROUS COMPOUNDS:

Cruciferous vegetables like brocolli, kale, brussels sprouts, arugula, bokchoy, cabbage and cauliflower have not one but many powerful anti cancer compounds like Indole-3-Carbinol, Sufurophanes, Crambene. Scientific observational studies have shown that eating cruciferous vegetables protects against cancer – here are a few examples

One of the important actions of cruciferous veggie compounds is balancing hormones especially estrogen. They convert the dangerous forms of estrogen to protective forms thereby preventing cancer from forming.

6. APIGENIN:• A flavinoid found in many fruits.•  Apigenin treatment resulted in suppression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)present in umbilical vein.• Apigenin treatment has been shown to decrease the levels of phosphorylated EGFR tyrosine kinase and of other MAPK and their nuclear substrate c-myc, which causes apoptosis in anaplastic thyroid cancer cells.

• Apigenin has been shown to inhibit the expression of casein kinase (CK)-2 in both human prostate and breast cancer cells.

  Oral administration of apigenin was shown to suppresses prostate and breast cancer cell growth.

7. SANGRE DE GRADO: This amazing compound has an unbelievable antioxidant.As a comparison blueberry a favorite anti oxidant .SDG is almost 3,000% more potent than blueberries and pomogranate.

8. LYCOPENE: Is a pigment that helps give red fruits and vegetables their color. It is most abundantly found on the skin of tomatoes. Cooking tomatoes multiplies the available lycopene.

9. FUCOIDAN AND AHCC:  Fucoidan is a valuable substance that is obtained from the sliminess of most brown seaweeds.  AHCC is a remarkable natural compound that is made from the roots of Japanese medicinal mushrooms. AHCC is the most popular immune-supplement in Japan. AHCC works by modulating the immune system so that the body can: Increase the production and activity of immune cells to stimulate the suppressed immune function. Protect itself from the side effects of chemotherapy such as nausea and hair loss.

10. HONEY, ROYAL JELLY, PROPOLIS AND BEE POLLEN: Studies have shown it has the following actions on cancer;Its ApoptoticIts AntiproliferativeIt Effects Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF)Its Anti-Inflammatory and ImmunomodulatoryIts AntioxidantIts AntimutagenicEstrogen Modulator

11. SELENIUM:

Is a trace mineral that has shown very potent cancer preventive action. 3 forms of Selinium are listed . The three forms of selenium most important in cancer prevention are sodium selenite L-selenomethionine, selenium-methyl L-selenocysteine.

 The three selenium compounds complement one another in the ways they affect your body's expression of important proteins involved in cancer prevention and suppression.

12. GREEN TEA AND EGCG: Multiple studies have shown the various benefits of green tea and its polyphenols against cancer.

 A new study conducted by food scientists at Penn State University shows that green tea's primary compound — epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) — may kill oral cancer cells and leave healthy cells unscathed.  Scientists believe that EGCG may trigger a process in the mitochondria of cancer cells that leads to early cell death.

 “It looks like EGCG causes the formation of reactive oxygen species in cancer cells, which damages the mitochondria, and the mitochondria responds by making more reactive oxygen species,” said Joshua Lambert.

CONLUSION: Cancer is not simply localized lumps and bumps that we have been programmed to accept through the years. We all have cancer cells in our bodies. It is only when our body is unable to get rid of the cancer cells that a disease process takes place. The conventional treatment of surgery, radiation and chemotherapy has been the cornerstone of cancer treatment over the past 50 years. Today, the clinical success of these treatments has reached a ceiling.

• We need to break through this cure ceiling by trying fresh approaches.

The complete natural healing program should include a therapeutic blend of vitamins, herbs, minerals and enzymes. Choosing the proper combination and dosage of these natural compounds is an important key to success.

 

REFERENCE:

1.Beating cancer with natural medicine by Michael,DM.

2. Bahls, C., and M. Fogarty. 2002. Reining in a killer disease. The Scientist 16[11]:16. An outline of several approaches to controlling cancer.

3.Gibbs, W. Wayt. 2003. Untangling the roots of cancer. Scientific American, July, 57–65. New evidence challenges old theories of how cancer develops.

4.Rayl, A. J. S., and Lewis, R. 2001. In cancer research, diet and exercise roles strengthen. The Scientist 15[20]:17. Evidence for the importance of lifestyle in preventing cancer.

5.Rang and Dales Pharmacology.