Numerous epidemiological studies have shown that a diet high in vegetables and fruits is associated with reduced risk of most cancers [1,2]. Since ancient times, herbs and spices have been used for the treatment of various illnesses. They have been used to treat respiratory, gastrointestinal, rheumatic and inflammatory disorders. The beneficial effects of dietary phytochemicals such as curcumin (from turmeric), allicin (from garlic), and resveratrol (from grapes and peanuts) against inflammation and cancer only reinforce the importance of diet in controlling such chronic illnesses [3]. Cumin (Cuminum cyminum) is a spice, which is widely used in Asia and in the Middle East and has been used in traditional medicine to treat diarrhea, flatulence, and indigestion. An important use of cumin in Ayurveda, the traditional Indian medicine is to control inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis [4]. In this context, it is noteworthy that cumin extracts inhibit platelet aggregation by inhibiting the eicosanoid pathway of inflammatory mediator generation [5]. In an attempt to understand the spice’s biological properties, cumin was also shown to reverse chemically induced colon carcinogenesis in experimental animals [6,7]. The observed anti-carcinogenic activity appears to be due to the induction of both phase I and II detoxifying enzymes as well as inhibition of enzymes responsible for the reactivation of detoxified carcinogens [8]. Considering that tumorigenesis is a multistep process initiated and promoted by several factors including carcinogen activation and chronic inflammation, cumin fruits offer a potential source of anticancer compounds. While extensive chromatographic separation of the essential oils derived from cumin fruit was attempted...
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... forestomach and uterine cervix tumors in murine model systems. Nutr Cancer, 47, 171-80.
9. Ishikawa, T., Takayanagi, T. and Kitajima, J. (2002) Water-soluble constituents of cumin: monoterpenoid glucosides. Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo), 50, 1471-8.
10. Jalali-Heravi, M., Zekavat, B. and Sereshti, H. (2007) Use of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry combined with resolution methods to characterize the essential oil components of Iranian cumin and caraway. J Chromatogr A, 1143, 215-26.
11. Takayanagi, T., Ishikawa, T. and Kitajima, J. (2003) Sesquiterpene lactone glucosides and alkyl glycosides from the fruit of cumin. Phytochemistry, 63, 479-84.
12. Li, L., Zhu, Z., Joshi, B., Porter, A.T. and Tang, D.G. (1999) A novel hydroxamic acid compound, BMD188, demonstrates anti-prostate cancer effects by inducing apoptosis. I: In vitro studies. AntiCancer Res., 19, 51-60.
Montaner, B. and Perez-Tomas, R. 2001. Prodigiosin-induced apoptosis in human colon cancer cells. Life sciences, 68 (17), p. 2025-2036.
Esters are defined as molecules consisting of a carbonyl group which is adjacent to an ether linkage. They are polar molecules which are less polar than alcohols but more so than ethers, due to their degree of hydrogen bonding ability. Most often derived from reacting an alcohol with a carboxylic acid, esters are a unique, ubiquitous class of compounds with many useful applications in both natural and industrial processes 1. For example, within mammals, esters are used in triglycerides and other lipids as they are the main functional group attacking fatty acids to the glycerol chain 2. A unique property of esters is their tendency to give off distinct aromas such as the scent of apples (Ethyl caprylate) and bananas (Isoamyl acetate). This is of a unique importance especially in industries that utilize flavors and aromas such as the tobacco, candy and alcohol industry. Consistent research is conducted in order to enhance and increase the effectiveness of esters in these products 3.
There is something found in this particular island that can be used to flavour and prepare certain foods, used in several medical remedies and also be used as psychoactive drug. With these uses only a sample of the overall uses, it is no surprise that in Grenadians refer to this as ‘Black Gold.’ It is so important to this particular country, that if it wasn’t for a few natural disasters, Grenada will still have its place among the top producers of this product, number two to be specific. I am sure that all the Grenadians in this class have figured out to what I am referring, if you haven’t yet it is none other than the ‘Nutmeg’. Good afternoon Mr Charles, T.A.’s and fellow classmates, my purpose today is to educate you about the many sides of the versatile fruit that is the nutmeg. I plan to first highlight the uses nutmeg has in food preparation, its importance in the medical field and lastly nutmeg as a recreational drug.
Seeds - anise, canola, chia, coriander, cumin, fennel seed, mustard, nutmeg, pumpkin, sesame, and sunflower
Four therapies have been described to decrease the muscle toxicity of doxorubicin. First, use of the iron chelator dexrazoxane decreases muscle toxicity (36, 89).Second, aerobic exercise has been shown to protect against doxorubicin induced skeletal muscle apoptosis through decreasing autophagy signaling (50, 84, 85). Third, the mitochondrial antioxidant SS31 protects against doxorubicin induced apoptosis (32). Fourth, pretreatment of metformin, an anti-diabetic drug, decreases cardiomyocyte apoptosis (7, 8). The interaction of doxorubicin and metformin will be discussed in greater detail in upcoming sections.
A. M. El-Sayed, V. J. Heppelthwaite, L. M. Manning, A. R. Gibb, D. M. Suckling, J. Agric. Food Chem. 2005, 53, 953.
Mistletoe has been extremely beneficial to medical science throughout the ages. It has been known to help cure or relieve epilepsy, hypertension, headaches, menopausal symptoms, infertility, arthritis, and rheumatism. Mistletoe is one of the highest alternative medicine remedies for cancer. In European countries, extracts made from European mistletoe are among the most prescribed remedies for cancer patients.” (National Cancer Institute p.2) In the International Journal of Cancer, they ran multiple tests with the mistletoe extract and found that the results of the clinical testing is highly inconsistent. In fact the stronger tests found that there is no improvement in quality of life in the patient. “The search terms were alternative medicine, cancer, controlled clinical trial, Eurixor®, Helixor®, Iscador®, lectin, malignancy, Mistel, mistletoe and derivatives. In addition, manufacturers of commercial mistletoe products and other experts were asked to contribute published as well as unpublished material, and our own extensive files were hand-searched.” (Eduard Ernst,Katja Schmidt, and Miriam Katharina Steuer-Vogt p.262–267) Because of limited data on the efficiency of mistletoe, only patients with primary or secondary brain tumors, leukemia, or malignant lymphoma are treated with mistletoe extract. Mistletoe extract is not used on pregnant or nursing women, ...
...tantly making efforts to discover new drugs and design better protocols for this cancer. Synthetic anticancer drugs kill the cancer cells but they are also harmful to the normal cells. Since, increase in the use of these drugs in cancer therapy leads to many side effects and undesirable hazards, there is a worldwide trend to go back to natural resources, i.e., traditional plant preparations which are not only therapeutically effective but are actually acceptable and economically within the reach of even the neediest people. The present study was undertaken to understand the effectiveness of the plants against hepatocarcinogenesis. Any practical solution in combating this dreadful disease is bound to be of paramount importance. Generally speaking, integrated approach to combine western and herbal medicines to treat cancer has proved to be relatively satisfactory.
The first group of chemical compounds to be discussed are terpenes. Terpenes are a very comprehensive group of metabolites which are known to contain essential oils that produces well-known scents in herbs belonging to the Lamiaceae plant family (Scott 2008). These scented compounds are usually found in the trichomes of basil, rosemary, lavender, etc. (Scott 2008). Electron micrograph images of these trichomes can be seen below. According to Keeling & Boltmann (2006), there are about 30 000 known types of terpenes which originated from structures created from terpene synthases. These terpene synthases can be broken up into three groups, monoterpene synthases, sesquiterpene synthases, and diterpene synthases (Keeling &...
Starting this experiment, we knew that the extraction was going to form varies layers due to the density differences. When placing three different substances, we saw that two layers formed because the Clove Oil is soluble in MTBE, but not in water. In order, to get the organic layer we used separatory funnel to take out the excess substances and leave the oil layer. Then we transferred to a beaker and dried with Magnesium Sulfate. Lastly, we filtered the liquid using funnel; we placed the liquid to boil, let it cool to room temperature. The purpose of drying and evaporation is to help us with the Gas Chromatography analysis of the product.
25 April 2014. Muller, F. Toxicological Sciences. 2014. The 'Standard' of the 'Standard'. 24 April 2014. National Cancer Institute.
Chamomile is one of the most ancient medicinal herbs used today. It is a member of the Asteraceae/Compositae family and comes in two different forms- German Chamomile and Roman Chamomile. Historically, the origin of the name Chamomile can from the Greeks who first noted that the smell resembled that of apples and therefore named it “ground apples.” What gives Chamomile its medicinal properties are its dried flowers, which contain terpenoids and flavonoids (lipids and pigment of the plant). In addition, oils of Chamomile are also used in cosmetics and aromatherapy with a distinct smell. Some traditional uses of Chamomile include: anti-spasmodic and sedative use for gastric disturbances and rheumatoid arthritis, treating parasitic worm infections, a skin wash for ulcers or any skin conditions, and lastly having anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties to treat certain health conditions such as colic, cystitis, fever, flatulence and vomiting.
Herbal remedies’ qualities are widespread availability, lower cost, effective for chronic conditions. Herbal remedies are the use of plants or plant extract to treat a person’ overall health. Herbal treatments are prominent for developing countries for instance, “in Africa up to 90% and in India 70% of the population depend on traditional medicine to help meet their health care needs” (Wachtel-Galor & Benzie, 2011), due to their low cost and availability. Herbal remedies have gained attention in the past decades, and expanding their uses due to the increased interest of natural therapies (Wachtel-Galor & Benzie, 2011). Herbs used on the remedies grow in the wild throughout the world, therefore making it easy to
Today people are becoming more aware of the advantages of using natural health products. Apart from it being a cost-efficient solution to maintain and attain healthier body, the products made from herbal and natural ingredients offer a myriad of benefits compared to those made from chemical and artificial ingredients. The followi...
According to Ming-Yeng Pang, a writer of an article Herbal Medicine and Cancer, Considering that herbal medicines are inferiorly regulated than the conventional medicine, manufacturers may differ on the quality and quantity of the medicine. Since there’s no proper and studied techniques on making an herbal remedies, it may cause contamination and dilution. Herbal medicine does interact with pharmaceutical products that it might interfere the effects of the conventional medicine. In relation with this, herbal medicine can be life-menacing (Herbal Medicine and C...