Role of Herbal Medicines in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Abstract

Mutation in several factors and pathways leads to the development of hepatic cancer i.e. Mutation in Wnt-β-Catenin Signalling Pathway , activation of the Insulin-Like Growth Factor (IGF) Signalling Pathway, The P13/PTEN/AKT, TP53 Tumour Suppressor Gene. Liver cirrhosis and fatty liver predispose the normal tissues to fibrosis leading to liver cancer. Excessive alcohol intake results in the inflammation of liver proceeding to cirrhosis and ultimately hepatic carcinoma. Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) is multi-centric i.e. has huge variability in its spread which differs from person to person. Four approaches are practiced for treatment of hepatic cancer; surgery, transarterial intervention, percutaneous intervention, and drug approach. Surgery includes liver transplant and tumour resection. Transarterial approach includes chemoembolization and embolization. Percutaneous approach includes radiofrequency thermal ablation (RFTA) and ethanol injection. Drugs are various including herbal plant medicines, herbal formulae, synthetic drugs, immune, and gene therapies. Zingiber officinal, Schinus molle L., Zerumbone, Curcuma longa and Mammea siamensis are some of the plant medicines.