Elham Safarzadeh
1, Siamak Sandoghchian Shotorbani
1, Behzad Baradaran
1*1 Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
Abstract
Cancer is uncontrolled growth
of abnormal cells in the body. Nowadays, cancer is considered as a human
tragedy and one of the most prevalent diseases in the wide, and its mortality
resulting from cancer is being increased. It seems necessary to identify new
strategies to prevent and treat such a deadly disease. Control survival and
death of cancerous cell are important strategies in the management and therapy
of cancer. Anticancer agents should kill the cancerous cell with the minimal
side effect on normal cells that is possible through the induction of
apoptosis. Apoptosis is known as programmed cell death in both normal and
damaged tissues. This process includes some morphologically changes in cells
such as rapid condensation and budding of the cell, formation of
membrane-enclosed apoptotic bodies with well-preserved organelles. Induction of
apoptosis is one of the most important markers of cytotoxic antitumor agents.
Some natural compounds including plants induce apoptotic pathways that are
blocked in cancer cells through various mechanisms in cancer cells. Multiple surveys reported that people with
cancer commonly use herbs or herbal products. Vinca Alkaloids, Texans, podo phyllotoxin, Camptothecins have been
clinically used as Plant derived anticancer agents. The present review
summarizes the literature published so far regarding herbal medicine used as
inducers of apoptosis in cancer.