Complementary Cancer Treatment Research Articles

Crowdfunding for Complementary and Alternative Cancer Treatments in Tijuana, Mexico: Content Analysis.

Complementary and alternative (CAM) cancer treatment is often expensive and not covered by insurance. As a result, many people turn to crowdfunding to access this treatment. The aim of this study is to identify the rationales of patients with cancer seeking CAM treatment abroad by looking specifically at crowdfunding campaigns to support CAM cancer treatment in Tijuana, Mexico. We scraped the GoFundMe.com and GiveSendGo.com crowdfunding platforms for campaigns referencing CAM cancer clinics in Tijuana, initiated between January 1, 2022, and February 28, 2023. The authors created a coding framework to identify rationales for seeking CAM treatment in Tijuana. To supplement campaign metadata, we coded the beneficiary's cancer stage, type, age, specific treatment sought, whether the beneficiary died, gender, and race. Patients sought CAM cancer treatment in Tijuana because the (1) treatment offers the greatest efficacy (29.9%); (2) treatment offered domestically was not curative (23.2%); (3) the clinic treats the whole person, and addresses the spiritual dimension of the person (20.1%); (4) treatments are nontoxic, natural, or less invasive (18.2%); and (5) clinic offers the newest technology (8.5%). Campaigns raised US $5,275,268.37 and most campaign beneficiaries were women (69.7%) or White individuals (71.1%). These campaigns spread problematic misinformation about the likely efficacy of CAM treatments, funnel money and endorsements to CAM clinics in Tijuana, and leave many campaigners short of the money needed to pay for CAM treatments while costing beneficiaries and their loved one's time, privacy, and dignity. This study affirms that Tijuana, Mexico, is a very popular destination for CAM cancer treatment.

Inhibition of MMP-2 and MMP-9 by Dietary Antioxidants in THP-1 Macrophages and Sera from Patients with Breast Cancer.

Polyphenols, the main antioxidants of diet, have shown anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anticarcinogenic activities. Here, we compared the effects of four polyphenolic compounds on ROS production and on the levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and -9, which represent important pathogenetic factors of breast cancer. THP-1 differentiated macrophages were activated by LPS and simultaneously treated with different doses of a green tea extract (GTE), resveratrol (RSV), curcumin (CRC) and an olive fruit extract (oliplus). By using the 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay, we found that all of the tested compounds showed antioxidant activity in vitro. In addition, GTE, RSV and CRC were able to counteract ROS production induced by H2O2 in THP-1 cells. As assessed by a zymographic analysis of THP-1 supernatants and by an "in-gel zymography" of a pool of sera from patients with breast cancer, the antioxidant compounds used in this study inhibited both the activity and expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 through different mechanisms related to their structures and to their ability to scavenge ROS. The results of this study suggest that the used antioxidants could be promising agents for the prevention and complementary treatment of breast cancer and other diseases in which MMPs play a pivotal role.

Ippia Alba Essential Oil: A Promising Complementary Therapy for Breast Cancer.

Breast cancer remains a pressing global health issue, spurring exploration into innovative therapies. This review focuses on Lippia alba (Mill.) essential oil's potential as a complementary breast cancer treatment. With growing interest in natural approaches, Lippia alba shows promise in breast cancer management. The review will explore Lippia alba's multifaceted role in treatment, highlighting its anticancer effects on breast cancer cells, potential synergy with conventional treatments, safety profiles, and existing clinical evidence. It will also address knowledge gaps, stressing the need for further research to unlock Lippia alba's full therapeutic potential in breast cancer therapy. In a field craving novel therapies, this review offers a timely analysis. Despite the lack of existing reviews on this topic, Lippia alba's significance cannot be understated. As research progresses, this article will be a valuable resource for researchers and healthcare practitioners seeking to augment breast cancer management through complementary therapies.

Effectiveness of Chinese Herbal Medicine as a Complementary Treatment for Neutropenia Prevention and Immunity Modulation During Chemotherapy in Patients With Breast Cancer: Protocol for a Real-World Pragmatic Clinical Trial.

In recent years, advancements in cancer treatment have enabled cancer cell inhibition, leading to improved patient outcomes. However, the side effects of chemotherapy, especially leukopenia, impact patients' ability to tolerate their treatments and affect their quality of life. Traditional Chinese medicine is thought to provide complementary cancer treatment to improve the quality of life and prolong survival time among patients with cancer. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) as a complementary treatment for neutropenia prevention and immunity modulation during chemotherapy in patients with breast cancer. We will conduct a real-world pragmatic clinical trial to evaluate the effectiveness of CHM as a supplementary therapy to prevent neutropenia in patients with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy. Patients will be classified into CHM or non-CHM groups based on whether they received CHM during chemotherapy. Using generalized estimating equations or repeated measures ANOVA, we will assess differences in white blood cell counts, absolute neutrophil counts, immune cells, and programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) expression levels between the 2 groups. This study was approved by the research ethics committee of Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital (IRB 110-168-A). The enrollment process began in September 2021 and will stop in December 2024. A total of 140 patients will be recruited. Data cleaning and analysis are expected to finish in the middle of 2025. Traditional Chinese medicine is the most commonly used complementary medicine, and it has been reported to significantly alleviate chemotherapy-related side effects. This study's findings may contribute to developing effective interventions targeting chemotherapy-related neutropenia among patients with breast cancer in clinical practice. International Traditional Medicine Clinical Trial Registry ITMCTR2023000054; https://tinyurl.com/yc353hes. DERR1-10.2196/55662.

Vitamin D and potential effects on cancers: a review.

Cancer is characterized by the abnormal and uncontrollable division and growth of cells that can infiltrate tissues and alter normal physiological function, which will become crucial and life-threatening if left untreated. Cancer can be a result of genetics, such as mutations or environmental causes, including smoking, lack of physical activity, as well as nutritional imbalance in the body. Vitamin D is one of the foremost nutrients that play a crucial role in a variety of biochemical pathways, and it is an important key factor in several diseases. Vitamin D is an essential nutrient for preventing malignancies and a complementary treatment for cancer through direct and indirect biochemical pathways. In this article, we summarized the correlation between vitamin D and various cancers using an extensive search on PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus. This paper reviews the role of vitamin D in different types of cancer.

Herbal Drugs Inducing Autophagy for the Management of Cancer: Mechanism and Utilization.

When compared to chemical medicines, herbal medicines have the greatest therapeutic benefit while having fewer harmful side effects. Many different components in herbs have an anticancer impact, but the exact mechanism of how they work is unknown. Some herbal medicines have even been shown to trigger autophagy, a process that has shown promise as a potential cancer treatment. In the past ten years, autophagy has come to be recognised as a crucial mechanism in the maintenance of cellular homeostasis, which has led to the discovery of its implications in the pathology of the majority of cellular environments as well as human disorders. Autophagy is a catabolic process that is used by cells to maintain their homeostasis. This process involves the degradation of misfolded, damaged, and excessive proteins, as well as nonfunctional organelles, foreign pathogens, and other cellular components. Autophagy is a highly conserved process. In this review article, several naturally occurring chemicals are discussed. These compounds offer excellent prospects for autophagy inducers, which are substances that can hasten the death of cells when used as a complementary or alternative treatment for cancer. It requires additional exploration in preclinical and clinical investigations, notwithstanding recent advances in therapeutic medications or agents of natural products in numerous cancers. These advancements have been made despite the need for further investigation.

Identification of Anti-Cancer Compounds in Medicinal Plants Using Metabolomic Approaches: A Review

The modern lifestyle despite its comfort has made cancer a second leading public health problem, following cardiovascular disease. As chemotherapeutic has many side effects including resistance, recent attention has focused on plants which may provide a good opportunity for complementary cancer treatment. Several studies have begun to focus on metabolomic research in order to discover the mechanisms of action of diverse medicinal plants, investigate biomarkers, and comprehend cancer progression at metabolic rates. This study aims to analyze and highlight related metabolomic investigations in medicinal plants that demonstrate the potential of biomarker compounds and their processes in cancer disease. The research methodology uses a literature review that is compiled from many connected journals. According to the findings, bioactive substances present in medicinal plants can be used as biomarkers to disrupt the metabolism of enzymes, transporters, and signaling pathways in cancer cells. Utilized analytical platforms include HPLC, GC-MS, FTIR and NMR. Statistical analysis employs the Anova, PCA, and OPLS-DA methods. Finally, we reviewed biomarkers of medicinal plants and metabolomic pathways, with the result that anticancer compounds may exert their activity by various methods affecting DNA replication, cell cycle, migration and apoptosis.The modern lifestyle despite its comfort has made cancer a second leading public health problem, following cardiovascular disease. As chemotherapeutic has many side effects including resistance, recent attention has focused on plants which may provide a good opportunity for complementary cancer treatment. Several studies have begun to focus on metabolomic research in order to discover the mechanisms of action of diverse medicinal plants, investigate biomarkers, and comprehend cancer progression at metabolic rates. This study aims to analyze and highlight related metabolomic investigations in medicinal plants that demonstrate the potential of biomarker compounds and their processes in cancer disease. The research methodology uses a literature review that is compiled from many connected journals. According to the findings, bioactive substances present in medicinal plants can be used as biomarkers to disrupt the metabolism of enzymes, transporters, and signaling pathways in cancer cells. Utilized analytical platforms include HPLC, GC-MS, FTIR and NMR. Statistical analysis employs the Anova, PCA, and OPLS-DA methods. Finally, we reviewed biomarkers of medicinal plants and metabolomic pathways, with the result that anticancer compounds may exert their activity by various methods affecting DNA replication, cell cycle, migration and apoptosis.

Phytochemicals Screening and Anti-proliferative Activities of Anacardium occidentale Shoot Extract in Breast Cancer Cells

Introduction: Anacardium occidentale or cashew are popular traditional food and have raised research interest for complementary cancer treatment. Cancer has become leading cause of death and treatment involved severe side effects. In present study, we aim to study the anti-proliferative effects of cashew shoots in breast cancer (MDA-MB-231), colorectal cancer (HT-29) and liver cancer (HepG2) cell lines. Methods: Cell lines were treated with 70% ethanolic cashew extract for cytotoxicity test with MTT assay. AO/PI dual fluorescent assay and RNase/PI staining were used to determine apoptosis induction effects. Phytochemicals screening was carried out by using gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GCMS) and liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LCMS). Results: The cytotoxicity assay of cashew shoot extract demonstrated IC50 of 81.1 ± 0.11 μg/ml for MDA-MB-231, 307.5 ± 2.31 μg/ml for HT-29 and 272.6 ± 1.91 μg/ml for HepG2 cell lines. The apoptotic bodies include chromatin condensation, cell blebbing and nuclear fragmentation and apoptosis induction were shown by AO/PI staining. There was significant increase of cell count in sub-G0 phase in MDA-MB-231 cell lines treated with cashew shoot extract. It was demonstrated that cashew shoot extract contained 38 compounds from GCMS such as sitosterol, tannin, pyrogallol, phenol and 20 compounds from LCMS such as citric acid, gallic acid, myricetin and hinokiflavone that may give rise to its anti-cancer effect. Conclusion: Cashew shoot extract demonstrated potential anti-cancer properties thus further study is required to investigate its mechanism as anti-cancer agent.

Induction of S arrest and apoptosis in human oral cancer cells by Rhinacanthin-C extracted from Rhinacanthus nasutus via modulating Akt and p38 signaling pathways

Ethnopharmacological relevanceThe search for effective herbal medicines for complementary treatments is on the rise due to the high incidence of recurrence and mortality rate in human oral cancer. Rhinacanthus nasutus KURZ., an annual herb found mostly in Southeast Asia including Thailand, has been wildly used as a traditional folk medicine for the treatment of several diseases including cancer. However, the anti-cancer effect of Rhinacanthin-C (Rh–C) as a major naphthoquinone compound found in R. nasutus and the underlying mechanism of its action on human oral cancer cells remain unknown. Aim of the studyTo investigate the anti-cancer mechanism of Rh–C extracted from R. nasutus in human oral cancer cells. Materials and methodsThe anti-proliferative effect of Rh–C on human oral squamous cell carcinoma (HSC4) was determined and compared to normal oral cells (human gingival fibroblasts, HGF, and normal oral keratinocytes, NOK) using the SRB colorimetric method. The molecular mechanism of Rh–C was explored using flow cytometry, colorimetric assay, in vitro human topoisomerase II assay, and Western blotting. ResultsRh–C displayed a time- and concentration-dependent growth inhibition on HSC4 and was much less effective on both tested normal oral cells. Rh–C inhibited Akt phosphorylation whereas over-activated p38 MAPK phosphorylation in HSC4 but not in HGF. Rh–C also inhibited topoisomerase II activity. As a result, the cell cycle was arrested in S-phase as the expression of CDK1/2 and Cyclin A2 was decreased. Eventually, the induction of HSC4 cell apoptosis was mediated by increased caspase 3 activity. ConclusionsRh–C isolated from R. nasutus possesses anti-cancer properties on human oral cancer cells by causing the S arrest and the apoptotic induction via modulating Akt/p38 signaling pathways. The results provide molecular bases for further developing Rh–C as a potential drug candidate or a complementary treatment for oral cancer.

Cryotherapy for low rectal and anal cancer: recommendation and indications.

Low rectal cancer is a common gastrointestinal malignancy. Organ preservation in the treatment of low rectal cancer is a challenge. By combining surgical resection with freezing-a complementary treatment for low rectal cancer-the anus can be preserved in some patients. However, we lack unified standards for colorectal cancer cryotherapy. Our hospital has been treating patients with cryotherapy since 1976. In our department, the indications for and contraindications to low rectal and anal cancer treatment are well established. In this paper, we summarize the indications for and contraindications to cryotherapy for colorectal cancer by reviewing the literature, drawing on our experience, and considering current imaging and histological techniques. Our aim is to facilitate clinical discussion and promote appropriate treatment.

Alternative and complementary treatment of cancer with phytotherapy and phytocannabinoids in Ecuador: A case review.

Alternative and complementary treatment of cancer with phytotherapy and phytocannabinoids in Ecuador: A case review.

The Effect of Xanthium strumarium Root Extracts on Growth Inhibition of Epithelial Ovarian Cancer SK-OV-3 Cell Line: A Metabolomics-Based Study

Background: Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is a deadly gynecological cancer among women worldwide. Ministering ovarian cancer with classic chemotherapy medications can cause various side effects. Thus, in recent years, the anticancer potential of medicinal plants has been noticed in complementary cancer treatment due to their high efficacy and low toxicity. The anti-proliferative potential of Xanthium strumarium leaf and seed extract against several cancer cell lines was reported; however, there is no report on the effect of its root so far. Objectives: In this study, the antitumor effect of X. strumarium root extract was evaluated on the SK-OV-3 ovarian cancer cell line, and metabolic alterations were identified. Methods: Cancer cells were cultured and ministered with different concentrations of ethanolic root extract. The antitumor effect of the root extract was determined by MTT assay, and cell metabolites was extracted. Finally, the metabolome profile was characterized and analyzed by 1H NMR-based metabolomics. Results: The IC50 value of the root extract of X. Strumarium was 30 µg/mL after 48 hours, which exhibited anticancer activity against SK-OV-3 ovarian cancer cells. Aminoacyl-tRNA synthesis, glycerolipid metabolism, fatty acid biosynthesis, and biotin metabolism were the most affected metabolic pathways involved in the growth inhibition of cancer cells. Conclusions: In the current study, the ethanolic root extract of X. Strumarium reveals antitumor activity against SK-OV-3 ovarian cancer cells and could affect vital metabolic pathways.

Neoadjuvant Pseudomonas aeruginosa mannose-sensitive hemagglutinin (PA-MSHA) and chemotherapy versus placebo plus chemotherapy in patients with HER2-negative breast cancer: a randomized, controlled, double-blind trial.

According to preclinical experiments, Pseudomonas aeruginosa mannose-sensitive hemagglutinin (PA-MSHA) exerts antiproliferative effects against breast cancer cells. It has been approved by the State Food and Drug Administration in China for complementary cancer treatment, and its safety has been confirmed in previous clinical trials. The present randomized, controlled, double-blind clinical trial was conducted to investigate the efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant PA-MSHA and placebo with chemotherapy in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative breast cancer. Eligible patients aged 18 years or older with previously untreated HER2-negative stage II-III breast cancer were enrolled and randomly assigned at a 1:1 ratio to receive neoadjuvant chemotherapy with PA-MSHA or a placebo. The Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) was used to assess clinical response every 2 cycles. The primary endpoint was the objective response rate (ORR) based on the clinical response following neoadjuvant chemotherapy. A total of 75 patients were randomly assigned to either the PA-MSHA group (37 patients) or the control group (38 patients). The ORR was found to be significantly higher in the PA-MSHA group compared with the control group [86.5% versus 60.5%; rate difference 26.0; 95% confidence interval (CI): 5.9-43.5%; P=0.011]. The pathological complete response (pCR) and survival outcomes did not differ significantly between the 2 groups. Patients with immune-related adverse events (irAEs) appeared to benefit from the PA-MSHA treatment, with greater disease-free, relapse-free, and overall survival. The application of PA-MSHA to neoadjuvant chemotherapy did not increase the incidence of severe adverse events. Moreover, the addition of PA-MSHA increased serum interferon-γ levels and the percentage of peripheral blood T cells, CD8+/CD4+ T cells, CD8+CD28+ T cells, and natural killer (NK) cells, and decreased serum interleukin 4 levels. The addition of PA-MSHA to neoadjuvant chemotherapy is an effective alternative regimen for HER2-negative breast cancer. Patients with irAEs caused by PA-MSHA may obtain more benefits from this treatment. Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR-TRC-10000794.

Evaluation of Molecular Docking and Cytotoxicity by Pycnocycla bashagardiana Fruit Essential Oil in Colon Cancer Cell Lines

Background: Pycnocycla bashagardiana essential oil (EO) is extracted from fruits via hydrodistillation and analyzed through gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate molecular docking and cytotoxicity by P. bashagardiana EO in colon cancer cell lines. Methods: The viability rates of P. bashagardiana fruit essential oil (PBFEO)-treated normal L929 and HT29 cancer cells were assessed at 0 - 500 μg/mL in 24 and 48 h by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide. The cell apoptosis percentage was investigated via flow cytometry and gene expression of BAX and BCL2 using the real-time polymerase chain reaction. In addition, the efficient myristicin binding was examined with the BCL2 protein through molecular docking analysis. Results: The half maximal inhibitory concentrations of 431.8 and 450 μg/mL in L929 cells, as well as 278.5 and 144.6 μg/mL in HT29 cells, were recorded at 24 and 48 h, respectively. The cell apoptosis percentage was examined by annexin-V-FITC. The results indicated a significant increase in the apoptosis percentage. A significant increase was also observed in HT29 cancer cells compared to normal L929 cells regarding the expression ratio of BAX/BCL2 genes. Myristicin’s binding affinity to BCL2 was relatively weak compared to the control. Conclusions: Based on the results, myristicin can be suggested as a complementary treatment for colon cancer through more effective treatment and reducing the side effects of normal cells.

Polymolecular botanical drug of Orthosiphon stamineus extract (C5OSEW5050ESA) as a complementary therapy to overcome gemcitabine resistance in pancreatic cancer cells.

Gemcitabine remains the cornerstone of pancreatic cancer treatment, despite exhibiting a modest effect on patient survival due to the development of drug resistance. Nuvastatic™ polymolecular botanical drug Orthosiphon stamineus (O.stamineus) is a folklore Asian herbal medicine that is used for the treatment of a variety of ailments. However, little is known about the mechanism of actions of the Nuvastatic™ polymolecular botanical drug of O.stamineus as a complementary therapy in resistant pancreatic cancer. It is postulated that the proprietary O.stamineus extract formulation (ID: C5EOSEW5050ESA) in Nuvastatic™ may sensitise resistant pancreatic cancer cells to gemcitabine. This study was conducted to assess the cytotoxic activity and synergistic effects of C5EOSEW5050ESA in gemcitabine-resistant pancreatic cancer cells. The effects of C5EOSEW5050ESA treatment on cell viability, multidrug-resistant genes, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, cellular senescence, cell death, and Notch signalling pathway were evaluated in gemcitabine-resistant Panc-1cells. C5EOSEW5050ESA sensitised gemcitabine resistant cells towards C5EOSEW5050ESA-gemcitabine combination treatment by reducing the expression of multidrug-resistant genes and epithelial-mesenchymal transition markers in gemcitabine-resistant cells compared to the control group, possibly through the inhibition of Notch signalling. This study provides valuable insight into using C5EOSEW5050ESA as a potential complementary treatment for resistant pancreatic cancer.

Sanyin Formula Enhances the Therapeutic Efficacy of Paclitaxel in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Metastases through the JAK/STAT3 Pathway in Mice.

Sanyin formula (SYF) is used as a complementary treatment for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). The purpose of this study was to identify the potential functional components and clarify the underlying molecular mechanisms of SYF in TNBC. High-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) was used to identify the main components of SYF extracts. Network pharmacology and bioinformatic analyses were carried out to identify potential candidate targets of SYF in TNBC. Cell proliferation was determined with a Celigo imaging cytometer. Wound-healing and Transwell assays were adopted to evaluate cell migration. A Transwell cell-invasion assay was performed with Matrigel-coated membranes. In vivo bioluminescence imaging (BLI) and pathological analyses illustrated the effect of SYF on cancer cell metastasis in tumour-bearing mice. The inhibitory mechanism of SYF was investigated via quantitative PCR (qPCR) and Western blotting. We found that 3,4-dihydroxyphenyllactic acid, kaempferol, p-coumaric acid, and vanillic acid may be the active components of SYF. Molecular docking confirmed that kaempferol, p-coumaric acid, vanillic acid, and 3,4-dihydroxyphenyllactic acid bound stably to proteins such as AKR1C3, MMPs, and STAT3. SYF extract suppressed TNBC cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and metastasis by inhibiting JAK/STAT3 signalling and then regulating downstream genes, such as MMP-2/MMP-9. SYF regulates the expression of genes involved in cell proliferation, migration, and invasion by regulating the JAK/STAT3 signalling pathway and finally inhibits tumour cell metastasis in TNBC. The present study clarifies the mechanism by which SYF inhibits TNBC metastasis and lays an experimental foundation for the continued clinical development of SYF targeting the JAK/STAT3 pathway.

The association between mortality and use of Chinese herbal medicine among incident stage IV esophageal cancer patients: A retrospective cohort study with core herbs exploration.

Esophageal cancer (EC) remains a leading cause of death worldwide and in Taiwan. The prognosis of advanced-stage EC is notably poor, and the treatment options are limited. Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) has been widely used as a complementary treatment for cancer, yet the long-term effect of CHM in stage IV EC remains unclear.The multi-institutional cohort obtained from the Chang Gung research database (CGRD) was used to study the long-term outcome of CHM use among incident stage IV EC patients from 1 January 2002, to 31 December 2018. All patients were followed up to 5 years or the occurrence of death. The overall survival (OS) and disease-specific survival rates were conducted using Kaplan-Meier estimation. Overlap weighing and landmark analysis were used to eliminate confounding and immortal time biases. Furthermore, we demonstrated the core CHMs for stage IV EC by using the Chinese herbal medicine network (CMN) analysis on prescriptions.Nine hundred eighty-five stage IV EC patients were analyzed, including 74 CHM users and 911 non-CHM users. We found the use of CHM was associated with a higher 5-year overall survival rate than CHM nonusers (the cumulative probability: 19.52% versus 6.04%, log-rank test: p < 0.001, and the p < 0.001 with overlap weighting). In addition, the overall median survival time was about 7 months longer among CHM users. Moreover, the lower 1-, 3-, 5-year disease-specific survival rates were higher among CHM users. Additionally, the risk of all-cause mortality was lower among CHM users when considering accessible demographic covariates (adjusted hazard ratio: 0.59, 95%CI: 0.39, 0.89, p = 0.011). Furthermore, the CMN analysis revealed that CHMs improved health while relieving tumor burden. For example, Hedyotis diffusa Willd . was the core CHM with an anti-cancer effect, while Fritillaria thunbergii Miq and Sevilla maindronide Rochebrune were used together to relieve cancer-related gastrointestinal discomfort.The use of CHM seems safe and possibly beneficial among stage IV EC patients with a higher 5-year OS. Further clinical trials on CHM were guaranteed to explore the role of CHM in managing stage IV EC patients.

Complementary cancer methods and evaluation of their efficiency: a literature review

Sigita Liutkauskienė1, Rūta Minelgaitė2, Ieva Petkutė2 1Department of Conservative Oncology, Lithuania University of Health Sciences 2Lithuania University of Health Sciences, Academy of Medicine, Faculty of medicine Abstract: Complementary methods for cancer treatment are an aspect of interest for scientists, who research possible interactions between complementary therapy and the course, furthermore clinical outcomes of the disease. Physical activity, stress management, low-fat, high-fruit, and vegetable diet are not only a right cancer-prevention, but also potential remedies for quality of life and survival improvement, unfortunately are being used to little among patients. Aim: by analyzing the scientific literature about the complementary cancer treatment methods to find out the benefits of them for colorectal, breast, pancreatic or prostate cancer. Methods: literature sources were selected from the PubMed scientific database, using the key words and their combinations: ,,cancer“ and ,,complementary treatment“. Results: physical activity and balanced diet have a positive effect on the course of the colorectal and breast cancer. Curcumin may enhance anticancer effects of treatment based on gemcitabine or docetaxel. Lifestyle modification leads to better clinical outcomes for prostate cancer. Conclusion: most data was based on a positive correlation between physical activity and breast, prostate and colorectal cancer. Increased consumption of soy products is an advantageous remedy for breast cancer prevention. The diet of low-fat, high-fruit and vegetable significantly reduces the chance of relapse of breast cancer. Furthermore, we discussed curcumin, which is expected to have antitumor effect. Modificated factors of dietary and lifestyle have a positive effect on the progression of prostate cancer. Keywords: cancer, physical activity, nutrition, stress management, complementary, oncology.

Specific Flavonoids and Their Biosynthetic Pathway in Scutellaria baicalensis.

Scutellaria baicalensis, is one of the most traditional medicinal plants in the Lamiaceae family, and has been widely used to treat liver and lung complaints and as a complementary cancer treatment in traditional Chinese medicine. The preparation from its roots, called “Huang Qin,” is rich in specialized flavones such as baicalein, wogonin, and their glycosides which lack a 4′-hydroxyl group on the B ring (4′-deoxyflavones), with anti-tumor, antioxidant, and antiviral activities. Baicalein has recently been reported to inhibit the replication of the COVID-19 virus. These 4′-deoxyflavones are found only in the order Lamiales and were discovered in the genus Scutellaria, suggesting that a new metabolic pathway synthesizing 4′-deoxyflavones evolved recently in this genus. In this review, we focus on the class of 4′-deoxyflavones in S. baicalensis and their pharmacological properties. We also describe the apparent evolutionary route taken by the genes encoding enzymes involved in the novel, root-specific, biosynthetic pathway for baicalein and wogonin, which provides insights into the evolution of specific flavone biosynthetic pathways in the mint family.

Design and optimizing a novel ocular plaque brachytherapy with dual-core of 103Pd and 106Ru.

In recent decades, eye plaques of brachytherapy have been extensively used as primary treatment as well as a complementary treatment for ocular cancer. The purpose of this study is the development of the eye plaque brachytherapy throughout a new design of eye plaque by combining the COMS plaque and the CCB BEBIG plaque loaded by IRA1-103Pd and 106Ru, respectively. A new dual-core plaque with a diameter of 20mm was designed in the way that the BEBIG plaque with a diameter of 20mm loaded by 106Ru plate is attached to the COMS plaque with a diameter of 20mm loaded by 24 of IRA1-103Pd seeds. Dose calculations for the new plaque were performed by using the MCNP5 code. Dose calculations of dual-core plaque including 103Pd seeds (gamma) and 106Ru plate (beta) were separately done for the sake of MCNP constraints in gamma and beta particle transfer simultaneously. The new dual-core plaque delivers a much higher dose rate to the tumor compared with every single plaque, while the dose rate reached to healthy tissues is slightly higher than each plaque separately. Of course, this is acceptable because the treatment time reduces and subsequently the error in radiation therapy reduces.