Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Jul 20, 2024 2 months, 4 weeks, 1 day, 3 hours, 47 minutes ago
Herbs And Phytochemicals: Cancer, a relentless disease affecting millions worldwide, continues to pose a significant threat to global health. According to the World Health Organization, cancer can affect any part of the body, spreading through rapidly proliferating, abnormal cells. By 2040, an estimated 28.4 million new cases are expected globally. In this challenging scenario, traditional treatments like surgery, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy show limitations such as adverse effects, medication resistance, and slow response times. This
Herbs And Phytochemicals news report sheds light on a promising alternative: Astragalus membranaceus saponins, potent compounds derived from a plant extensively used in traditional Chinese medicine.
Herbs and phytochemicals - The anti-cancer properties of Astragalus Saponins
Astragalus Membranaceus: A Traditional Marvel
Astragalus membranaceus, found primarily in China, South Korea, Mongolia, and other regions, is renowned for its medicinal properties. Traditionally used to boost lung immunity, reduce thrombosis, lower blood pressure, and regulate blood sugar, recent studies reveal its significant anti-cancer potential. The main components, triterpenoid saponins, have shown promising results in combating various cancers, including gastric, breast, lung, liver, colorectal, prostate, and cervical cancers.
Understanding Triterpenoid Saponins
The saponins in Astragalus membranaceus are mainly triterpenoids, divided into cyclobutane and oleanane types. These compounds, including Astragaloside IV, lupeol, and cycloastragenol, exhibit remarkable anti-cancer effects by inhibiting tumor cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and inducing apoptosis (programmed cell death). The mechanisms involve multiple pathways, making these saponins a focal point of cancer research.
Key Mechanisms of Action
-Inhibition of Cell Proliferation
A critical feature of malignant tumors is the uncontrolled proliferation of cancer cells. Astragalus saponins effectively inhibit this by regulating the cell cycle and associated signaling pathways. For instance, Astragaloside IV (AS-IV) inhibits Cyclin D1 and CDK4, crucial for cell cycle progression, causing cancer cells to arrest in the G0/G1 phase. This regulation is achieved through the activation of tumor suppressor genes like TGF‐βRII and SMAD4, which reverse the inhibition of the TGF-β/Smad pathway.
-Regulation of Cell Death
Inducing apoptosis in cancer cells is a vital anti-cancer strategy. Astragalus saponins activate both intrinsic (mitochondrial) and extrinsic (death receptor) apoptosis pathways. AS-IV promotes apoptosis by upregulating pro-apoptotic proteins like Bax and downregulating anti-apoptotic proteins such as Bcl-2. Additionally, these saponins enhance oxidative stress, leading to apoptosis via mitochondrial membrane potential changes.
-Inhibition of Cell Migration and Invasion
Cancer metasta
sis involves the migration and invasion of tumor cells to other body parts. Astragalus saponins, particularly AS-IV, effectively inhibit these processes by targeting key molecules involved in cell adhesion and movement. This includes reducing the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9, enzymes that degrade extracellular matrix components, facilitating tumor invasion.
-Boosting Immunity
Astragalus saponins also enhance the body's immune response against cancer. They modulate immune cell activity, increasing the production of cytokines like IL-6, IL-10, and IFN-γ, and inhibiting regulatory T cell (Treg) activity. This results in a more robust anti-tumor immune response, making Astragalus saponins valuable in immunotherapy.
Research Insights
The extensive research on Astragalus membranaceus saponins reveals their multi-faceted anti-cancer mechanisms. Studies conducted by researchers from the College of Pharmacy at Chengdu University-China, the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences at Hunan University of Medicine, and the School of Basic Medical Sciences at Chengdu University-China highlight the therapeutic benefits of these saponins. Their findings indicate that Astragalus saponins inhibit cancer cell proliferation, induce apoptosis, prevent metastasis, and boost immunity through various signaling pathways, including PI3K/Akt/mTOR, MAPK/ERK, and NF-κB.
Future Directions and Challenges
While the anti-cancer potential of Astragalus saponins is promising, there are challenges to address. Researchers emphasize the need for further studies to understand the precise mechanisms and optimize the therapeutic use of these compounds. The integration of Astragalus saponins into conventional cancer treatments could offer synergistic benefits, enhancing efficacy and reducing side effects.
Conclusion
Astragalus membranaceus saponins emerge as powerful allies in the fight against cancer. Their ability to inhibit cell proliferation, induce apoptosis, prevent metastasis, and enhance immunity positions them as promising therapeutic agents. As research progresses, these traditional compounds could revolutionize cancer treatment, offering hope to millions worldwide.
The study findings were published in the peer-reviewed journal: Molecules.
https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/29/14/3388
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