Antitumor medication from natural origins on the rise

May 9 2013

Natural phenolic compounds play an important role in cancer prevention and treatment. Researchers who examine the medicinal herbs and dietary plants that can aid in cancer treatment and prevention have found that antitumor medication from natural origins is on the rise.

In Volume 62, Issue 1 of Nutrition and Cancer: An International Journal, Chinese researchers Wy-Yang Huang, Yi-Zhong Cai and Yanbo Zhang present a Review Article titled: Natural Phenolic Compounds From Medicinal Herbs and Dietary Plants: Potential Use for Cancer Prevention. The article is one of the Journal's most cited articles and the review covers the most recent literature to summarize structural categories and molecular anticancer mechanisms of phenolic compounds from medicinal herbs and dietary plants.

"Overwhelming clinical evidence has shown that chemoprevention by phenolic phytochemicals is an inexpensive, readily applicable, acceptable, and accessible approach to cancer control and management," the researchers wrote. Phenolic compounds can be found everywhere and are rich in medicinal herbs and everyday foods such as fruit, vegetables, spices, cereals, and beverages. "Various phenolic compounds possess a diverse range of beneficial biological activities, which contribute to their potent effects on inhibiting carcinogenesis [cancer creation]," the authors wrote.

While there may be possible connections, the researchers also stress the importance of obtaining more information about the health benefits and possible risks of dietary supplements or herbal medicine to ensure efficacy and safety.

Source: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/01635580903191585