NATURAL SOURCE WITH POWER FOR TREATMENT OF CANCER: A RECENT REVIEW

Abstract

Cancer is a major public health burden in both developed and developing countries. Studies have estimated that genetic factors cause only 5–10% of all human cancers, while the remaining percentage is caused by lifestyle. Plants have been used as a major source of remedies from the ancient time. The modern drug discovery and development is also dependent of medicinal plants. More than 70% of the FDA approved anticancer drugs can be traced back to their origin in plant-derived natural products, which were traditionally used as ancient remedies for various ailments. Medicinal plants can reduce or minimize the toxic side effect of chemotherapy and radiation treatment by reinforcing their cancer killing action. An attempt has been made to review some medicinal plants used for the prevention and treatment of cancer.

Key words: Cancer, Medicinal Plants, Turmeric, Side effect