Abstract
This brief review aims to discuss the various cellular immunological aspects and related mechanisms of the use of specific components from traditional herbal medicines. We begin with lessons learned from thalidomide as an effective single drug with multiple mechanisms of action to treat multiple myeloma. Examples of "supplements" or integrative therapy will be drawn from arsenic trioxide, medicinal mushrooms including Coriolus vesicular and Ganoderma lucidum, followed by the discussion of beta-glucans affecting various immunological important cellular subsets. Different classes of compounds may enhance distinct immune cell populations that might contribute to a multi-targeted holistic effects on anti-cancer treatment. Finally, we conclude by highlighting an herbal formulation PHY906 as a potential adjunct to chemotherapy that might become one of the first US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved oral herbal medicines for anti-cancer adjunct treatment.
MeSH terms
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Adult
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Animals
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Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacokinetics
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Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
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Arsenic Trioxide
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Arsenicals / therapeutic use
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Child
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Clinical Trials as Topic
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Dietary Supplements*
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Digestive System Neoplasms / drug therapy
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Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor
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Drug Synergism
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal / therapeutic use
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Ganoderma / chemistry
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Hematologic Neoplasms / diet therapy
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Hematologic Neoplasms / drug therapy*
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Herb-Drug Interactions
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Humans
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Immunologic Factors / pharmacokinetics
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Immunologic Factors / therapeutic use*
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Mice
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Oxides / therapeutic use
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Phytotherapy
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Plant Preparations / pharmacokinetics
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Plant Preparations / pharmacology
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Plant Preparations / therapeutic use
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Polyporus
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Thalidomide / therapeutic use
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beta-Glucans / isolation & purification
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beta-Glucans / therapeutic use
Substances
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Antineoplastic Agents
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Arsenicals
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal
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Immunologic Factors
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Oxides
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PHY 906
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Plant Preparations
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beta-Glucans
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Thalidomide
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Arsenic Trioxide