Abstract
Aim: This study aims to investigate the possible effects of aqueous Echinacea (E. Purpurea, whole plant) extract on Adenosine deaminase (ADA) activity in cancerous and non-cancerous human gastric and colon tissues. Materials and Methods: Thirty three cancerous and 33 non-cancerous human gastric tissues, and 25 cancerous and non-cancerous human colon tissues removed by surgical operations were studied. In the samples, adenosine deaminase activities were measured with and without extract incubation. Results: It has been observed that Echinacea extract inhibits ADA enzyme in cancerous gastric tissues significantly. It exerts however no inhibitory effects on the ADA activities in the other tissues. Conclusion: It is proposed that inhibition of ADA enzyme by the Echinacea extract might play part in anti-cancer mechanism of Echinacea in some cancers like gastric cancer.
Highlights
Cancer is a worldwide disease on which great effort is made, and it is still a major problem for all people in the world
It is proposed that inhibition of Adenosine deaminase (ADA) enzyme by the Echinacea extract might play part in anti-cancer mechanism of Echinacea in some cancers like gastric cancer
Echinacea purpurea L. is one of the medicinal plants widely used for the treatment of several diseases including cancer
Summary
Cancer is a worldwide disease on which great effort is made, and it is still a major problem for all people in the world. The scientists have long been looking to natural remedies for the treatment of cancer because of side effects of classical cancer therapies. It has been studied to find medical and nutritional solutions to cure the disease and support the patient's therapy. With the findings that treatment of some types of cancers with plant sources may give rise to positive results, intense effort has been started on possible beneficial potentials of plants in cancer therapy. There are many factors for cancer process in humans. It has been argued that most of the cancers are caused by environmental factors, and 30–40% of these cancers are found to be directly linked to the diet [1]. While many dietary recommendations have been proposed to reduce the risk of cancer, few have significant supporting scientific evidence [2]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
