INTRODUCTION:

Cancer is a very dreadful disease affecting most of the population all over the world. Cancer is the leading disease in the world it affects many people all around the world since many people are affected with breast cancer, lung cancer, cervical cancer, bone cancer etc. Human malignancy is considered to be one of the biggest enemy to human beings. Cancer first affects the cells and tissues and spreads to all the parts of the body affecting the healthy cells. There are different types of cancer which include carcinoma, Leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma, central nerve system cancer etc.

There are different cancer cell lines used for testing the different medicinal plants for their anticancer activity like skin cancer cell lines, oral cancer cell lines, pancreatic cancer cell lines, Prostate cancer cell lines, breast cancer cell lines, Hepatocellular carcinoma, Bone marrow, cervical cancer, Mammary tumors, esophageal cancer, colon cancer, peripheral blood mononuclear, Liver cancer, Neuroblastoma cancer, Leukocytes, lung cancer, melanoma etc.

There are various assays used for the treatment of cancer cell lines which include MTT Assay, MTS assay, Cell viability assay, Trypan blue exclusion assay, various in-vitro and in-vivo methods used for the treatment of cancer.

Since a plethora of literatures are available in our country and the ancient literatures from Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Homeopathy. Ayurvedic literature is considered to be one of the oldest ancient civilizations in India. These ancient literatures will be helpful for the modern scientists to use latest technologies to invent new active components which should be prepared by simple methods and cheap and economic to the public so that the poor also can be benefitted. The treatment or chemotherapy given to patients is very costly and the adverse effects of these drugs are very high. The food habits of people in the modern world has changed, people should take nutritious food which should contain lot of fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables contain a lot of fiber and antioxidants which can prevent from combating the disease. Antioxidants play a major role in preventing cancer.

The role of herbal medicine in treatment of cancer:

Herbal medicine plays a major role, in India the diversity of medicinal plants their cultivation, collection and preservation of herbal and medicinal plants should be given prime importance to find and discover new plants and explore them. India is very strong in cultivation of traditional medicinal plants; the data is available in ancient literatures. The safety and efficacy of these plants is considered to be very important, many polyherbal formulations can be prepared with less side effects and less toxicity. They act on the cancer cells without affecting the healthy cells. These assay methods can be used for the treatment of cancer without any side effects. Minor or fewer side effects can be observed with herbal medicine. The duration of treatment may be prolonged in treatment of cancer in traditional herbal medicine.

There are many medicinal plants with anticancer activity other than vinca, taxus, podophyllum, camptotheca etc. there are plants like aloevera, grape seed, ginger root, turmeric, clove, tea etc. which are easily available, these plants contain active phytochemical constituents which can be isolated, phytochemical screening of these plants can be carried out, pharmacological screening of these plants can be screened for anticancer activity.

Burdock Root Arctium lappa, Asteraceae

Antiproliferative in vitro activity of Arctium lappa was evaluated for its human cancer cell lines. The dichloromethanic extracts showed selective anticancer activity against K562, MCF-7 and 786-0 human cancer cell lines. ^[1]

Grape seed Vitis vinifera Vitaceae

Grape Seed Extract was observed for its cytotoxic activity against skin cancer cell lines by MTT assay. The GSE was effective against skin cancer cell lines. ^[2]

GSE has been investigated for its antiproliferative effect against oral cancer cell lines. The anti oral cancer effects of different concentrations of GSE in terms of cell viability, apoptosis, reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial function, and DNA damage. The GSE was effective against oral cancer cell lines. ^[3]

The antioxidant effect of grape seed extract and skin (GSE and GSK) was conducted against Ehrlich solid tumor (EST)-induced oxidative stress, hepatic dysfunction and pathological changes in the liver of albino mice. GSE and GSK revealed potent antioxidant properties thereby protecting the liver against oxidative stress induced by Ehrlich solid carcinoma tumors. ^[4]

Ginger root Zingiber officinale Zingiberaceae

The ginger extract and its components have shown anti-proliferative effect on several tumor cell lines. The ethanol-extracted components of ginger, [6] - shogaol and [6]-gingerol suppressed cell cycle progression and consequently induced the death of human pancreatic cancer cell lines, by inducing ROS-mediated autosis. Anticancer activity of Ginger extract was potent against pancreatic cancer cells. ^[5]

Ginger has been known for its antioxidant and antiproliferative activities, and also as a chemopreventive agent. Ginger extract (GE) exerts significant inhibitory effects against human prostate cancer cells. Ginger has growth inhibitory and death inductor effects against human prostate cancer cells. ^[6]

The antiproliferative activity of active components of ginger was evaluated. It consists of gingerols, zingerones, shogaols, and zerumbone which demonstrate anti-cancer effects in a variety of cancer cell lines. Gingerol, shogaol, and zerumbone have protective anticancer activity against human cancer cell lines. ^[7]

The antiproliferative effect of fresh, dried and steamed gingers was evaluated using human Hela cancer cells. The increased levels of shogaols and decreased concentration of gingerols contributed to the improved anticancer potential of the steamed ginger. ^[8]

The anticancer activity of Berberine and Curcumin was evaluated by estimating the inhibition of the cell proliferation by cytotoxicity assay using MTT assay method on specified human cancer cell lines. The results had proven that Berberine with Curcumin has synergetic anticancer activity inducing cell death to greater percentage when compared to curcumin and Berberine on an average on all human cancer cell line models. ^[9]

Aloevera Liliaceae Calligonum comosum Asphodelaceae

The in vitro anticancer effect of Aloe vera and Calligonum comosum extracts was investigated against hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) cells. HepG2 cells were tested against different doses of A. vera and C. comosum. Cell viability test was assessed by MTT assay. The extracts separately increased cytotoxicity against HepG2 cells. The extracts were effective against hepatocellular carcinoma cells in time and dose dependant manner. ^[10]

The comparative antiproliferative effect of Aloe vera extract has been undertaken by topical/oral application of 7, 12-dimethyabenz (a) anthracene followed by 1% croton oil till the end of the experiment for 16 weeks. In another experiment the effect of aloevera extract was performed for its antimutagenicity activity using chromosomal aberration assay in bone marrow cells of Swiss albinomice. The aloe vera extract oral administration was effective than topical application. ^[11]

The inhibitory effects and metabolomic profile of Aloe Vera extract on Raji cells (cancerous lymphoma cells) was performed using 1HNMR spectroscopy determined by MTT assay. The differentiating metabolic cycles were identified and the metabolites were detected. Aloe Vera extract was effective against Raji cells (cancerous lymphoma cells). ^[12]

Aloe has two main active components, anthraquinones and some characteristic -polysaccharides. Among anthraquinones, aloe-emodin is reported to have significant anticancer properties. This compound has been successfully tested against lung squamous cell carcinoma, Merkel cell carcinoma, leukemia and neuroectodermal cancer. ^[13]

The cytotoxic potential of Aloe vera crude extract (ACE) was investigated against cervical (HeLa) cancer cells and cisplatin in human breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7) was investigated by cell viability assay, nuclear morphological examination and cell cycle analysis. The crude extract showed possible effect against both cell lines. ^[14]

The antitumor activity of ethanol extract of Aloe vera was evaluated against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) tumor in mice. The ethanol extract of Aloe vera exhibited antitumor effect by modulating lipid peroxidation and augmenting antioxidant defense system in EAC bearing mice. ^[15]

The in-vitro antitumor activity of Aloe vera extract was evaluated in cultured B16F10 melanoma cell line the cell viability test was measured using “Trypan blue exclusion assay” method. In-vitro antitumor activity cell culture, Trypan blue exclusion assay growth and viability test were performed. Evaluation of in-vitro antitumor activity revealed that Aloe vera extract exhibits promising cytotoxic activity. ^[16]

Turmeric Curcuma longa Zingiberaceae

The anticancer property of turmeric (Curcuma longa), neem (Azadirachta indica), tulasi (Occimum sanctum) and ginger (Zingiber officinale) was analyzed on HeLa cells. MTT assay was performed to check the efficacy of these drugs that determines % viability and/or cytotoxicity. Turmeric, neem, tulasi and ginger are potent anti-cancer compounds. ^[17]

The anticancer activity of turmeric was evaluated against the MNU induced mammary tumors. Oral administration of turmeric showed anticancer activity in a dose dependent manner. Topical application of turmeric was found to be more effective in pre-induction treatment than in-post induction treatment groups and topical treatment was more effective when compared to oral treatment. Chemo-preventive role of turmeric was more potent against mammary tumors. ^[18]

Curcumin has cancer chemo preventive activity in preclinical animal models and human hepato cellular liver carcinoma cell line. The study of anticancer activity of the curcumin ethanolic extract was done in vitro on cell line and in vivo on mice. The extract showed a considerable anticancer activity against human hepato cellular liver carcinoma cell line. ^[19]

The in vitro anticancer activities of the three extracts namely hexane, chloroform and methanolic extracts of Curcuma longa was tested against the human breast cancer cell lines [MCF-7]. These plant extracts has significant anticancer activity against breast cancer cell lines. ^[20]

Clove Syzygium aromaticum Myrtaceae

The in vitro anticancer activities of three different extracts of Clove were performed, against different kinds of cancer cell lines of. Water, ethanol and oil extracts were screened for anti proliferative activity against HeLa (cervical cancer), and breast cancer, prostate cancer and esophageal cancer cell lines, along with normal human peripheral blood lymphocytes. Cell proliferation was inhibited by using MTT assay. The extracts showed different patterns of cell growth inhibition activity. In all five cancer cell lines the oil extract showed maximal cytotoxic. No significant cytotoxicity was observed in human PBMC's. ^[21]

The in vitro and in vivo antitumor effects of ethyl acetate extract of cloves (EAEC) were investigated for its antitumor activity. The effects of EAEC on apoptosis cell growth, cell growth and cell cycle distribution were investigated using human cancer cell lines. The results demonstrate that clove extract may be a novel therapeutic herb for the treatment of colorectal cancer. ^[22]

The antiproliferative activity and cytotoxicity of clove mistletoe leaves extracts was examined against brine shrimps and K562 (human chronic myelogenous leukemia) and MCM-B2 (canine benign mixed mammary) cancer cell lines in vitro. The different extracts tested were water extract, ethanol extract, ethanol fraction, ethyl acetate fraction, and n-hexane fraction. Brine Shrimp Lethality Test (BSLT) was used for screening Cytotoxicity. Antiproliferative activity was conducted using Trypan Blue Dye Method and haemocytometer was used for counting the cells. Therefore, it was suggested that clove mistletoe had potent anticancer activity against K562 (human chronic myelogenous leukemia) and MCM-B2 (canine benign mixed mammary) cancer cell lines in vitro. ^[23]

The cytotoxic activity of cloves aganist MCF-7 human breast cancer cell lines was evaluated. Different concentrations of ethanol extract, water extract and essential oil of cloves were investigated for their anticancer activity in vitro through a brine shrimp lethality test (BSLT) and MTT assay. In both BSLT and MTT assays, the essential oil showed the highest cytotoxic effect, followed by ethanol and water extract. Cloves are natural products with promising sources for the development of anticancer agents. ^[24]

Efficiency of the methanolic extract of licorice roots as anticancer agent for breast, colon and liver was tested. Eleven phenolic compounds were identified from the methanolic extract of Cloves flowers buds (Syzygium aromaticum L.). The extract showed strong inhibitory effect for most species. ^[25]

The molecular mechanisms responsible for their in vivo anti-cancer activities of quercetin and isoliquiritigenin was examined by using xenograft animal models implanted with EBV (+) human gastric carcinoma (SNU719) or EBV (􀀀) human gastric carcinoma (MKN74). The results obtained showed that anti-cancer effect of quercetin was greater than isoliquiritigenin in mice injected with EBV (+) human gastric carcinoma (SNU719) cells. Both quercetin and isoliquiritigenin had similar anti-cancer effects in mice injected with EBV (-) human gastric carcinoma (MKN74) cells. ^[26]

Red clover Trifolium pretense Fabaceae

The anticancer activities of aquoeus extracts of Celandine (Chelidonium majus), Red Clover (Trifolium pratense), Flax seed (Linum usitatissimum) and Coriander (Coriandrum sativum) on adenosine deaminase (ADA) activity in cancerous and non cancerous human gastric and colon tissues was examined. The inhibition of ADA enzyme by celandine, red clover, flax seed and coriander extracts might give selective advantage to combat cancer tissues. ^[27]

Bloodroot Sanguinaria canadensis Papaveraceae

The in vitro anti-proliferative effects of alcohol tinctures and water infusions generated from bloodroot flowers, leaves, rhizomes, and roots on human peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) cytokine production and proliferation was determined. PBMCs and K562 cells (an immortalized human myelogenous leukemia cell line) were determined using extract treatment. The in vitro activities demonstrated that bloodroot extracts may have potential antiproliferative activity. ^[28]

Cucumbers Cucumis sativus Cucurbitaceae

The anti cancer activity of the compound isolated from ethyl acetate fraction of Cucumis sativus flowers was tested against liver cancer HePG2 cell line by MTT assay. Significant results were observed thereby proving the use of this plant in cancer treatment. ^[29]

Pinus roxburghii Pinaceae

The Anticancer activity of different extracts of Pinus roxburgii Sarg. was performed on IMR-32 Human Neuroblastoma cancer cell line. Out of the four extracts petroleum ether extract and chloroform extract were effective aganist IMR-32 Human Neuroblastoma cancer cell line. ^[30]

Artemisia Annua Asteraceae

Artemisia annua extracts containing artemisinin have been reported for their anticancer potential. dihydroartemisinin (DHA) and other artemisinin derivatives have selective toxicity to-wards cancer cells. The anticancer effect of ethanolic leaf extracts of A. Annua was active on normal and cancer cells. Leukocytes and leukemia (Molt-4) cells were counted. These experiments suggest that these extracts may have potential application in cancer treatment. ^[31]

Anti-proliferative properties have been reported for certain species of the genus Artemisia. The cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of n-hexane, CH2Cl2, EtOAc, n-BuOH and H2O fractions obtained from a crude methanol extract of A. armeniaca on two myeloid cell lines, apoptosis-proficient HL60 cells and apoptosis-resistant K562 cells; in addition, J774 cells were used as a control. The results corroborate the cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of the CH2Cl2fraction of A. armeniaca on K562 and HL-60 cancer cell lines. ^[32]

The sesquiterpenoid also exerts profound anticancer activity in vitro and in vivo. Several case reports on the compassionate use of artemisinins as well as clinical Phase I/II pilot studies indicate the clinical activity of artemisinins in veterinary and human cancer patients. Larger scale of Phase II and III clinical studies are required now to further develop artemisinin-type compounds as novel anticancer drugs. ^[33]

The A. annua leaves contains flavonoids which have been linked to suppression of CYP450 enzymes responsible for altering the absorption and metabolism of artemisinin in the body. Artemisinin and its semi-synthetic analogs might become more effective to treat cancer if simultaneously delivered with flavonoids. ^[34]

Barberry Berberis aristata Berberidaceae

The methanolic extract of stems of B. aristata, was investigated for its anticancer activity in human breast cancer cell line (MCF-7). In addition, significant (68%) increase of apoptosis at 500μgof extracts in MCF-7 cells was evidenced by live/dead assay. ^[35]

The anticancer effect of extract and berberine as was estimated on three different cell lines which were, Caco-2 cells HepG-2 and MCF-7 by using neutral red uptake assay which compared with control normal cells (PBMC). ^[36]

Tea Camellia sinensis Theaceae

The antiproliferative effect of Green tea extract was evaluated on HeLa cell line. MTT assay was used for testing Cell viability. Green tea could cause cell death in HeLa cells and can be considered as a promising antiproliferative agent against cervical carcinogenesis. ^[37]

Anticancer activity was investigated in EGCG in combination with TF which effectively reduced the rate of prostate cancer growth, and it was observed that cell death was greater when compared to application of either EGCG or TF alone. ^[38]

The anticancer activity of Green Tea and Citrus limetta against human lung carcinoma cell line A549 using the MTT assay. The filtrates of Green Tea showed maximum anticancer activity against cancer cell line A549 as compared to that of Citrus limetta. ^[39]

The anticancer activity of the natural extract from black tea Camellia sinensis (BTE) was investigated against humancolon carcinoma cell line HT-29, human breast carcinoma cell line MCF-7, human alveolar carcinoma cell line A549 and healthy cell line NIH-3T3. The concentration range for cytotoxic/antiproliferative effects using the trypan blue assay and MTT assay, gel electrophoresis were employed to determine the type of cell death induced by BTE and DNA damage were determined by comet assay. ^[40]

Onion Allium cepa Amaryllidaceae

Allium consumption, indicate Allium vegetable consumption will decreased risk of cancer, particularly cancers of the gastrointestinal tract. Especially Allium vegetables, particularly garlic and onions, and their bioactive sulfur compounds have cancer chemopreventive effects. ^[41]

Dandelion Taraxacum officinale Asteraceae

The apoptotic activity of dandelion root extract (DRE) was effective against human melanoma cells without inducing toxicity in noncancerous Therefore this extract specifically inducing apoptosis in chemoresistant melanoma cells without producing toxicity to healthy cells. ^[42]

The in-vitro anti-cancer potential of an aqueous dandelion root extract (DRE) in several cancer cell models, with no toxicity to non-cancer cells was observed. The cancer cell-killing effectiveness of an aqueous DRE in colon cancer cell models was examined. The anti-cancer efficacy of this extract was confirmed in in-vivo studies, as the oral administration of DRE retarded the growth of human colon xenograft models by more than 90%. Therefore, DRE could be a non-toxic and effective anti-cancer alternative, for reducing the occurrence of cancer cells. ^[43]

The anti-cancer activity of dandelion root extract (DRE) against human leukemia, and to evaluate the specificity and mechanism of DRE-induced apoptosis was determined. The effect of DRE on cell viability was evaluated using the colorimetric-based WST-1 assay. The results suggest that aqueous DRE contains components that act to induce apoptosis selectively in cultured leukemia cells, and a potential non-toxic alternative to conventional leukemia therapy. ^[44]

Foxglove Digitalis purpurea

Cardiac glycosides inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis in prostate cancer cells in clinically relevant concentrations. There is growing interest in evaluating the cardiac glycosides as antineoplastic agents. ^[45]

Digitalis is used in patients with malignancies with their potential mechanisms of action. The sodium- and potassium-activated adenosine triphosphatase is an important new target for cancer therapy. The addition of digitalis to current cancer treatments will improve the clinical outcomes. ^[46]

Graviola Annona muricata Annonaceae

The anticancer activities of Graviola leaves, and the extracted components were tested against the HeLa cell line and PC3 cell line. HeLa cells treated with crude leaf extract of A. muricata have shown 80% of cell inhibition. ^[47]

Milk Thistle Silybum marianum Asteraceae

The anticancer activity of silymarin against lung and breast cancer cell lines was observed by the apoptotic gene expression and the associated inhibitory activity of silymarin on the proliferation of both the cell lines. ^[48]

Tea mistletoe Scurrulla atropurpurea Loranthaceae

The anticancer effects of extracts were evaluated for their cytotoxic effects in colon cancer cells and normal cells. Furthermore, the addition of b-CD extract resulted effective to inhibit the growth of cancer cells. ^[49]

Viscum album L. Santalaceae

The VA ethanolic extract was administered alone and combined with doxorubicin (chloride), in Swiss female mice previously intraperitoneally (i.p.) inoculated with Ehrlich tumor cells that consequently developed Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC). Oxidative changes in Ehrlich tumor cells consisted in decreased catalase activity and amplified xanthine oxidase and peroxidase activities. ^[50]

Saffron Crocus sativus Iridaceae

Saffron’s anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects in colorectal cancer cells, were treated with two p53 isogenic HCT116 cell lines (HCT wildtype and HCT p53−/−) with different doses of the drug and analyzed cell proliferation and apoptosis in a time-dependent manner. MTT viability and crystal violet assays were performed in order to determine the effective dose of saffron on both cell lines. ^[51]

Crocus sativus L. extracts (saffron) are rich in carotenoids. Preclinical studies have shown that dietary intake of carotenoids has antitumor effects suggesting their potential preventive and/or therapeutic roles. Saffron (SE) and crocin (CR) exhibit anticancer activity by promoting cell cycle arrest in prostate cancer (PCa) cells. ^[52]

The objective of the present report was to investigate if SE, crocetin (CCT), and CR affected in vivo tumor growth of two aggressive PCa cell lines (PC3 and22rv1) which were xenografted in male nude mice treated by oral gavage with SE, CR, and CCT. The results suggest that CR and CCT may be dietary phytochemicals with potential antitumor effects in biologically aggressive PCa cells. ^[52]

Table 1: The table shows the Plant name and plant part used, the type of extract, cancer cell lines and type of assay used to study the anticancer activity.

S. NO	Plant name	Type of Extracts and constituents	Different Types of Cancer cell lines	Method of Assay
1	Burdock Root Arctium lappa, Asteraceae	Dichloromethane extracts	Antiproliferative in vitro activity was evaluated in human cancer cell lines
2	Grape seed Vitis vinifera Vitaceae	Grape Seed Extract	Cytotoxic activity of the GSE was observed against skin cancer cell lines Antiproliferative effect of GSE has been reported in oral cancer Differential concentrations of GSE may have a differentially antiproliferative function against oral cancer cells Against oxidative stress induced by Ehrlich solid carcinoma tumors	MTT assay MTS assay
3	Ginger root Zingiber officinale Zingiberaceae	Extract of ginger[6] - shogaol and [6]-gingerol Ginger extract	Human pancreatic cancer cell lines Prostate cancer cells
4	Ginger Zingiber officinal Zingiberaceae	Gingerols, Zingerones, Shogaols, and Zerumbone	Breast cancer
5	Ginger Zingiber officinale Zingiberaceae	Fresh, dried and steamed gingers	Human Hela cancer cells
6	Ginger Zingiber officinale Zingiberaceae	Berberine and Curcumin	Human cell lines	MTT Assay
7	Aloevera Calligonum comosum	A. vera and C. comosum extracts	Hepatocellular carcinoma	MTT Assay
8	Aloe vera	Aloe vera extract anthracene	Bone marrow cells	chromosomal aberration assay
9	Aloe vera	Aloe vera extract	Cancerous lymphoma cells	MTT Assay
10	Aloe vera	Anthraquinones, Aloe-emodin	Neuroectodermal cancer, leukemia, Merkel cell carcinoma and lung squamous cell carcinoma
11	Aloe vera	Aloe vera crude extract	Human breast (MCF-7) and cervical (HeLa) cancer cells	Cancer cells was studied by cell viability assay
12	Aloe vera	Ethanol extract	Ehrlich ascites carcinoma
	Aloe vera	Aloe vera extract	Melanoma cell line	Trypan blue exclusion assay and viability test
13	Turmeric Curcuma longa neem (Azadirachta indica), tulasi (Occimum sanctum) and ginger (Zingiber officinale)	Aqueous and methanolic extracts	HeLa cells	MTT assay
14	Curcuma longa	Curcumin ethanolic extract	Human hepato cellular liver carcinoma
15	Curcuma longa	Turmeric	Mammary tumors
16	Curcuma longa	Hexane, chloroform and methanolic extracts of Curcuma longa	Human breast cancer cell lines
17	Clove Syzygium aromaticum Myrtaceae	Extracts of Clove	HeLa (cervical cancer), breast cancer, prostate cancer and esophageal cancer cell lines	MTT assay
18	Clove Syzygium aromaticum Myrtaceae	Ethyl acetate extract of cloves	Human cancer cell lines
19	Clove Syzygium aromaticum Myrtaceae	Leaves extracts, Water extract, Ethanol extract, Ethanol fraction, Ethyl acetate fraction, and n-hexane fraction	Human chronic myelogenous leukemia, canine benign mixed mammary	Trypan Blue Dye
20	Clove Syzygium aromaticum Myrtaceae	Water extract, Ethanol extract, and essential oil of cloves	Human breast cancer cell lines	MTT assay
21	Clove Syzygium aromaticum Myrtaceae	Methanolic extract of Cloves flowers buds	Breast, colon and liver
22	Licorice roots	Quercetin and isoliquiritigenin	Human gastric carcinoma
23	Aquoeus extracts of Celandine (Chelidonium majus), Red Clover (Trifolium pratense), Flax seed (Linum usitatissimum) and Coriander (Coriandrum sativum)	Aqueous extracts	Human gastric and colon tissues
24	Bloodroot Sanguinaria canadensis Papaveraceae	Alcohol tinctures and water infusions generated from bloodroot flowers, leaves, rhizomes, and roots	Human peripheral blood mononuclear cell, Human myelogenous leukemia cell line
25	Cucumbers Cucumis sativus Cucurbitaceae	Ethyl acetate fraction of Cucumis sativus flowers	Liver cancer	MTT assay
26	Pinus roxburghii Pinaceae	Petroleum ether and chloroform extract	Human Neuroblastoma cancer cell line
27	Artemisia Annua Asteraceae	Ethanolic leaf extracts of A. Annua	Leukocytes and leukemia
28	Artemisia armeniaca	Crude methanol extract of A. armeniaca	Myeloid cell lines, apoptosis-proficient HL60 cells and apoptosis-resistant K562 cells	MTS assay
29	Barberry Berberis vulgaris Berberidaceae	Methanolic extract of stems of B. aristata	Human breast cancer cell line	soft agar assay
30	Berberis vulgaris	Barberry crude extract	MCF-7, HepG-2, and Caco-2 cells	Neutral red uptake assay
31	Tea Camellia sinensis Theaceae	Methanol extract of Green tea	HeLa cell line	Ferric reducing assay MTT assay
32	Camellia sinensis	Green Tea and Citrus limetta	Human lung carcinoma cell line	MTT assay
33	Camellia sinensis	Natural extract from the black tea	Human colon carcinoma cell line HT-29, human breast carcinoma cell line MCF-7, human alveolar carcinoma cell line A549 and healthy cell line NIH-3T3	MTT assay and the Trypan blue assay
34	Dandelion Taraxacum officinale Asteraceae	Dandelion root extract	Human melanoma cells
35	Dandelion Taraxacum officinale	Aqueous dandelion root extract	Colon cancer cell models
36	Dandelion Taraxacum officinale	Dandelion root extract	Human leukemia	WST-1 assay
37	Foxglove Digitalis purpurea	Cardiac glycosides	Prostate cancer cells
38	Graviola Annona muricata Annonaceae	Crude leaf extract	HeLa cell line
39	Milk Thistle Silybum marianum Asteraceae	Silymarin	Lung and breast cancer cell lines
40	Tea mistletoe Scurrulla atropurpurea Loranthaceae	Phenolic content	Colon cancer cells and normal cells
41	Viscum album L. Santalaceae	Ethanolic extract	Ehrlich tumor cells
42	Saffron Crocus sativus Iridaceae	Saffron extract	Colon cancer	MTT viability and crystal violet assays
43	Saffron Crocus sativus Iridaceae	Saffron, Carotenoids Crocetin and crocin	Prostate cancer

CONCLUSION:

Cancer is a dreadful disease affecting most of the people in the world. Cancer can be controlled by taking good nutritious food, like fruits and vegetables which contains a lot of antioxidants. Consumption of junk food may also lead to cancer, which may also lead to many other dreadful diseases. Since various treatments are available for cancer but they lead to serious complications. Herbal medicine is available for treatment of cancer, many polyherbal formulations are available for cancer treatment but the side effects can be minimized to a certain level and the duration of treatment can be prolonged for long period. There are many lead molecules which already exist and being discovered, even the government of India is supporting and initiating many scientist with funds to discover new medicine, since India is a largest herbal garden in the world with a plethora of traditional herbal medicinal plants available these plants can be explored in future and India can become a largest producer of herbal medicine and can rule the world in the treatment of cancer.

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Received on 20.10.2017 Modified on 19.11.2017

Res. J. Pharmacognosy and Phytochem. 2018; 10(1): 91-100.

DOI: 10.5958/0975-4385.2018.00015.8