Cancer: Overian - Herb Study

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Oriental Herb for Ovarian Cancer

Orientalherb A compound isolated from a traditional oriental medicinal herb may be a useful adjuvant therapy for endometrial and ovarian cancers, a new study suggests.

Endometrial cancer, carcinoma of the lining of the uterus, is the most common gynecologic malignancy, comprising approximately 95 percent of all uterine cancers diagnosed. Approximately 40,000 American women receive a diagnosis of endometrial cancer each year, making it the fourth most common cancer found in women after breast cancer, lung cancer and colon cancer. Endometrial cancer is most prevalent after the reproductive years, between the ages of 60 and 70.

Ovarian cancer is a disease in which normal ovarian cells begin to grow in an uncontrolled, abnormal manner and produce tumors in one or both ovaries. According to the American Cancer Society, ovarian cancer ranks fifth in total cancer deaths among women. It is estimated that about 20,000 women in the United States will develop ovarian cancer every year. About 15,000 deaths from ovarian cancer will occur in American women during that same time frame.

Researchers from Oita University Faculty of Medicine in Oita, Japan, explained that beta-hydroxyisovalerylshikonin (beta-HIVS), a compound isolated from the traditional oriental medicinal herb Lithospermum radix, may kill cancer cells.

The study investigated the effect of beta-HIVS on three endometrial cancer cell lines, two ovarian cancer cell lines and normal human endometrial epithelial cells.

Endometrial and ovarian cancer cells were treated with various concentrations of beta-HIVS, and its effect on cell growth, cell cycle, cell death and related measurements was investigated.

The study found that all endometrial and ovarian cancer cell lines were sensitive to the growth-inhibitory effect of beta-HIVS, although normal endometrial epithelial (outer layer) cells were viable after treatment with the same doses of beta-HIVS that induced growth inhibition in endometrial and ovarian cancer cells.

The study authors concluded that the anticancer activity of beta-HIVS may occur with higher sensitivity of cancer cells compared with normal healthy cells, when using low concentration. This evidence suggests that beta-HIVS may become a useful adjuvant therapy for endometrial and ovarian cancers.

For more information on gynecological cancers, please visit Natural Standard's Medical Conditions database.
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