A Review on Himalayan Medicinal Plants against Cancer

Abstract

Background: Plants contributed numerous novel compounds for prophylactic and curative medicine to modern science.They are the important source of natural agents used in various pharmaceutical industries. Himalayan plants are abundant in various secondary metabolites such as anthraquinones, flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids and terpenes. The Himalayan plants grown in high altitude and have around 6500 years old history as traditional medicines. Aim: This review article systematically presents information onHimalayan medicinal plants having anti-cancer potentials. Methodology: Around 160 articles were reviewed by using online search engines like PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and floras of different Himalayan countries. Results: An attempt has been made to review anticancer plants and active constituents isolated from several anti-cancerous plants of Himalayan regions. Eighty three anticancer plants are reported in this review and total twenty two active chemical constituents including phenolic compounds, glycosides, terpenoidsand alkaloids from the plants were reported active against various cancer cell lines. Conclusion: Several synthetic agents are used to cure cancer but number of undesired side effects occurs during chemotherapy. Hence, the research is going on to investigate natural therapies, such as the use of the plant derived productsin cancer treatment. They may reduce adverse side effects.