BACKGROUND: India, has a rich ethnomedicinal tradition where numerous herbs are used in cancer care. However, scientific validation of these practices remains limited. This narrative review explores the phytochemical mechanisms underlying their anti-cancer effects of 32 herbs identified by herbal activists, including physicians and traditional healers from Tamil Nadu, India, for their purported anticancer properties.
METHODS: A narrative review was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar to identify studies published between 2014 and January 2025 on 32 selected anecdotal herbs. Eligible studies included , , clinical, and in silico investigations. Data extraction by five independent reviewers focused on botanical and common names, bioactive compounds, mechanisms of anticancer activity, cancer types studied, and evidence level (preclinical vs. clinical).
RESULTS: Herbs such as , , and exhibited strong preclinical and limited clinical anticancer activity through apoptosis induction, inhibition of angiogenesis and metastasis, immune modulation, and synergy with standard therapies. Most other herbs remain at the preclinical stage, with minimal clinical data. Only (purified) and (formulations) have limited clinical application. Challenges including poor bioavailability, lack of standardization, safety concerns, and toxicity (e.g., , ) hinder clinical translation, underscoring the need for rigorous evaluation.
CONCLUSION: Traditional herbs demonstrate notable experimental anticancer potential, yet clinical validation is limited. Integrating ethnomedicinal knowledge with systematic research could guide future cancer therapies and inform policy development in integrative oncology.
METHODS: A narrative review was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar to identify studies published between 2014 and January 2025 on 32 selected anecdotal herbs. Eligible studies included , , clinical, and in silico investigations. Data extraction by five independent reviewers focused on botanical and common names, bioactive compounds, mechanisms of anticancer activity, cancer types studied, and evidence level (preclinical vs. clinical).
RESULTS: Herbs such as , , and exhibited strong preclinical and limited clinical anticancer activity through apoptosis induction, inhibition of angiogenesis and metastasis, immune modulation, and synergy with standard therapies. Most other herbs remain at the preclinical stage, with minimal clinical data. Only (purified) and (formulations) have limited clinical application. Challenges including poor bioavailability, lack of standardization, safety concerns, and toxicity (e.g., , ) hinder clinical translation, underscoring the need for rigorous evaluation.
CONCLUSION: Traditional herbs demonstrate notable experimental anticancer potential, yet clinical validation is limited. Integrating ethnomedicinal knowledge with systematic research could guide future cancer therapies and inform policy development in integrative oncology.
Nair Pradeep M K, Pandian Ayswarya Rohini, Mathapati Vaishali, B Shobhitha Tantry, Sai Abhay, Pai Navya, Sudarshan Shanmugam, Mahalingam Manickam, Silwal Karishma
2025
Frontiers in immunology
anticancer herbs, ethnomedicine, herbal medicine, integrative oncology, phytochemicals, traditional medicine
The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.