Oriental Herb for Ovarian Cancer

A compound isolated from a traditional oriental medicinal herb may be a useful adjuvant therapy for endometrial and ovarian cancers, a new study suggests.

Endometrial cancer, carcinoma of the lining of the uterus, is the most common gynecologic malignancy, comprising approximately 95 percent of all uterine cancers diagnosed. Approximately 40,000 American women receive a diagnosis of endometrial cancer each year, making it the fourth most common cancer found in women after breast cancer, lung cancer and colon cancer. Endometrial cancer is most prevalent after the reproductive years, between the ages of 60 and 70.

Ovarian cancer is a disease in which normal ovarian cells begin to grow in an uncontrolled, abnormal manner and produce tumors in one or both ovaries. According to the American Cancer Society, ovarian cancer ranks fifth in total cancer deaths among women. It is estimated that about 20,000 women in the United States will develop ovarian cancer every year. About 15,000 deaths from ovarian cancer will occur in American women during that same time frame.

Researchers from Oita University Faculty of Medicine in Oita, Japan, explained that beta-hydroxyisovalerylshikonin (beta-HIVS), a compound isolated from the traditional oriental medicinal herb Lithospermum radix, may kill cancer cells.

The study investigated the effect of beta-HIVS on three endometrial cancer cell lines, two ovarian cancer cell lines and normal human endometrial epithelial cells.

Endometrial and ovarian cancer cells were treated with various concentrations of beta-HIVS, and its effect on cell growth, cell cycle, cell death and related measurements was investigated.

The study found that all endometrial and ovarian cancer cell lines were sensitive to the growth-inhibitory effect of beta-HIVS, although normal endometrial epithelial (outer layer) cells were viable after treatment with the same doses of beta-HIVS that induced growth inhibition in endometrial and ovarian cancer cells.

The study authors concluded that the anticancer activity of beta-HIVS may occur with higher sensitivity of cancer cells compared with normal healthy cells, when using low concentration. This evidence suggests that beta-HIVS may become a useful adjuvant therapy for endometrial and ovarian cancers.

For more information on gynecological cancers, please visit Natural Standard's Medical Conditions database.

 

Comments

[JC]

Chinese herbs are commonly used to treat medical conditions. Herbs are usually given in the form of manufactured or processed pills, extracts, capsules, tinctures or powders. Herbal combinations are used to treat major illnesses like heart disease and cancer. They have also been used to reduce the side effects of chemotherapy and improve immune functioning in cancer. Herbs are often used alongside other traditional therapies, such as acupuncture.

[Jess]

I've heard that giving herbs along with conventional medicines is very popular in Traditional Chinese medicine. In fact, I think that there is another supplement called polysaccharide K that comes from a Coriolus mushroom that is often used as an adjuvant to traditional chemotherapy. The Natural Standard Web site says, "PSK extracts are available for clinical use in Japan, where it is widely used for cancer immunochemotherapy. In Japan, PSK is currently used as a cancer treatment, in conjunction with surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiation. In Japan, PSK is currently the best-selling cancer medicine." How does Lithospermum compare with PSK?

[Leah Cohen]

I have seen lithospermum spp. listed in some TCM combinations. However, I doubt that these will be available for consumers to purchase OTC, as lithospermum has been found to contain strong phytoestrogen and estrogen agonist compounds, which may have unforeseen hormonal effects on the body. It's also important to caution that herbs from China may contain high levels of lead and other heavy metals.

[Brian]

There are so many studies today saying that all kinds of plants have anti-cancer effects. It's unfortunate that it will take so many years before any of these constituents can be manufactured into drugs. While these early studies are very promising, it takes a lot of rigorous research to really determine their clinical relevance.

[Julie]

Essiac is a great example of what Brian is talking about. The Canadian nurse Rene Caisse developed the original formula in the 1920s ("Essiac" is Caisse spelled backwards). The recipe was based on a traditional Ojibwa Native American remedy, and Caisse administered the formula by mouth and injection to numerous cancer patients during the 1920s and 1930s. The exact ingredients and amounts in the original formulation remain a secret. Caisse heard about the herbal mixture from one of her patients, a woman whose breast cancer had apparently been healed by a secret herbal formula given to her by an Ojibwa medicine man. The original tea was made from four dried herbs: burdock root, the inner bark of the slippery elm tree, sorrel and Turkey rhubarb root. Despite a lack of available scientific evidence, Essiac® and essiac products (with similar ingredients) remain popular among patients.

[mo]

I’ve been surprised to learn how many plants have hormonal effects. While this is an interesting artifact, it’s important to be aware of the very real effects these plants can have on hormone levels and the actions of other substances with hormonal effects (for example, birth control pills, hormone replacement therapy).

On a different note, I’m glad to see research being done specifically on ovarian cancer. This is a really horrible disease that “sneaks up” on women and has not always been the focus of much scientific attention. I’ve recently read that chelation therapy is being studied for its potential effect in ovarian cancer. Early data suggest that concurrent use of chelation therapy may allow individuals to safely receive higher doses of certain treatments for ovarian cancer. Apparently more studies are needed, but this is promising early evidence.

[Leah Cohen]

I assume that the reason there has not been overwhelming research into different herbal treatments for hormone sensitive cancers is that they may have hormonal effects, and there is concern over this.

The question remains as to what kinds of hormonal effects these therapies have - whether it is stimulation or inhibition, and what effects this has in the human body, not ovariectomized rats. Hormonal modulation is certainly not the same as hormonal inhibition or stimulation and I do not believe that researchers have an understanding of the variation in terms of herbal therpaies in this area.

[PinkTissue]

My mum was diagnosed with ovarian cancer last December. She is currently in remission. She utilizes both eastern and western medication. This is her current Chinese medication:

http://pinklilyflower.blogspot.com/2008/06/mums-chinese-medication-list.html