Lung Cancer: The herb that “inhibits” the proliferation of cancer cells

The “brake” is put on the proliferation of cancer cells in the lung area by berberine, a natural compound found in a variety of herbs such as sedum, sweet sedum, tricornia and barberry, in the barberry shrub (berberis vulgaris, also known as oxyacantha European) and in Canadian Hydrastis (Hydrastis Canadensis), according to ygeiamou.gr

According to a new study published in AntioxidantsThe natural compound suppressed the proliferation of lung cancer cells in vitro (in vitro), while reducing airway inflammation and damage to healthy lung cells exposed to chemicals from cigarette smoke.

“Berberine has already been shown to be beneficial in treating diabetes and cardiovascular disease. However, we wanted to investigate its potential in suppressing lung cancer and reducing inflammation.” Kamal Doaa, Senior Lecturer in Pharmacy at the University of Technology Sydney.

To determine the antitumor mechanisms involved in berberine’s action, mRNA levels of tumor-associated genes and protein expression levels were measured. Berberine has been found to regulate tumor suppressor genes while reducing proteins involved in the movement and spread of cancer cells. In addition, berberine can prevent oxidative stress, inflammation, and cellular senescence induced by cigarette smoke extract in healthy lung cells grown in the laboratory.

To make the use of berberine easier to experiment with, Dr. Dua has developed the use of liquid crystalline nanoparticles, an advanced drug delivery system, that encapsulates berberine in small, soluble and biodegradable polymer beads to enhance its safety and efficacy.

Decades of research have proven that cigarette smoke is toxic to lung cells, causes airway inflammation and accelerates diseases such as cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma. It is worth noting finally that lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide, with approximately 1.8 million deaths reported annually.