Date of Award
2019
Publication Type
Master Thesis
Degree Name
M.Sc.
Department
Chemistry and Biochemistry
Keywords
Cancer, Dandelion root, Hibiscus, Interaction, Lemongrass, Natural health products
Supervisor
Siyaram Pandey
Rights
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
Abstract
Cancer continues to be the leading cause of death in Canada. Many conventional chemotherapies have indicated side effects due to a lack of treatment specificity and are thus not suitable for long-term usage. Natural health products (NHPs) are well-tolerated and safe for consumption, and some have pharmaceutical uses particularly for their anti-cancer effects. We have previously investigated the anti-cancer efficacy of dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) root, lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus), and hibiscus (Hibiscus syriacus) extracts. However, their efficacy on prostate, colorectal, and breast cancer as well as their interactions with standard chemotherapeutics have not been studied to determine if they will be suitable for adjuvant therapies. If successful, these extracts could potentially be used in conjunction with chemotherapeutics to minimize the risk of drug-related toxicity and enhance the efficacy of the treatment. This work aimed evaluate the efficacy and mechanism of apoptotic induction in various cancer cells, assess the drug-drug interactions of NHPs and chemotherapeutics, and investigate the effects of these NHPs on tumour xenografted mice models. Using standard biochemical and morphological assays, we have demonstrated that dandelion root extract (DRE), lemongrass extract (LGE), and hibiscus extract (HE) exhibit selective anti-cancer activity. These extracts were also able to enhance the anticancer efficacy of common chemotherapeutics and protect normal healthy cells from toxicity. In mice xenografted with human cancer cells, DRE and LGE were able to reduce tumour burden and LGE was able to enhance FOLFOX activity. Thus, the implementation of these well-tolerated extracts in adjuvant therapies could be a selective and efficacious approach to cancer treatment. These findings provide scientific validation to support the safe and effective use of NHPs as well-tolerated and effective forms of cancer treatment.
Recommended Citation
Nguyen, Christopher Vu, "Anticancer Activity of Natural Health Products (Dandelion Root, Lemongrass, and Hibiscus Extracts); A Study of Efficacy, Interaction, and Mechanism of Action" (2019). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 7725.
https://scholar.uwindsor.ca/etd/7725