Anticancer Effect of Aristolochia tagala and Curcuma caesia Acting Through Tumor Necrosis Factor-α

Abstract

This chapter begins with a brief description of the events associated with carcinogenesis such as what led a normal cell to transform into a pre-neoplastic one, their multiplication, and development into cancer. The authors also described how reactive oxygen species (ROS) are generated endogenously and from carcinogens, their role in carcinogenesis, and the link between inflammation and cancer. Elucidation of how cancer arises contributes to understanding the molecular mechanisms of action of some natural products. Herbal natural products contain metabolites that exert a physiological action on human body. These metabolites are used therapeutically in modern medical practices to prevent and cure various diseases including cancer. This chapter discusses the anticancer property of two herbal plants Aristolochia tagala Cham. and Curcuma caesia Roxb. in diethylnitrosamine-induced mouse liver cancer and describes the most probable molecular mechanisms of action of the metabolites present in these plants contributing to their anticancer effect.