PHYTOTHERAPY OF CANCER - A BRIEF OVERVIEW
About Author:
Mridula Jayaraman,
Amity Institute of Pharmacy,
Amity University, India
mridulajayaraman1990@gmail.com
Abstract
The word ‘cancer’ itself sends chills down our spines as its prognosis and treatment, even if detected at an early stage is cumbersome and tortuous. With the advent of modern medicines, even though it is claimed that cancer is curable, there exists virtually no chemotherapeutic agent for cancer without side effect(s), not to mention the cost of these medicines which are skyrocketing.
Hence, we are left with little choice but to go for new fronts in research on the therapeutic agents present in plants (Phytotherapy), which are not only cost effective but also relatively side effects free. These plants are available in plenty in the Himalayan and Aravali Region of India.
University of Wisconsin lists 150 plants which they have established as having potential value in the treatment of cancer. However, the real issue here is that not many drugs derived from plants have been standardized and standardization of these plants for therapeutic purpose is still in the nascent stage.



