Therapies Using Herbal and Medicinal Plants as an Alternative Treatment for Cancer

Cancer is considered as the second noticeable cause of death worldwide, and it is an important health problem. Traditional medicine, such as Iranian traditional medicinal science and traditional Chinese medicine, is considered a treasure trove in the quest for human well-being and has become increasingly popular in recent years for the treatment of patients with cancer in various parts of the world. Unlike chemical medicines, traditional medicinal plants and herbs have a slow impact, but they play a significant role for different targets, and have notable therapeutic effects from various links. This literature review was carried out in different databases such as Google Scholar, MEDLINE, PubMed Central, and Science Direct. The application of medicinal plants and herbs in different parts of Asia, especially China and Iran, has a long history. The most important medicinal plants for the prevention and treatment of cancers in traditional Persian medicinal science are Curcuma longa, Autumn Crocus, Nigella sativa, Allium cepa, Ammi majus, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Avicennia marina, Astrodaucus orientalis, Myrtus communis, and Lepidium sativum. Traditional Chinese herbs such as Panax ginseng, Ganoderma lucidum, Coriolus versicolor, Astragalus membranaceus, and Grifola frondosa contain glycoproteins and polysaccharides, and different mushrooms can regulate the metastatic potential and the innate immune system. Moreover, phytochemical components such as physcione, βsitosterol, bergapten, stigmasterol, 2-oxo-3-propyl-2H-chromene-7-carboxylic acid, 3-ethyl-7-hydroxy-2H-chromen-2-one, and graveolone from the roots of Anethum sowa L. have anti-cancer activities. Other secondary metabolites such as carotenoids, flavonoids, and alkaloids have anti-cancer characteristics.