TITLE:
Review of the Studies on the Anti-Tumoral Effect of Prunella vulgaris
AUTHORS:
William Chi Keung Mak
KEYWORDS:
Chinese Herbal Medicine, Prunella vulgaris, Xia Ku Cao, In Vitro Methods, Molecular Mechanisms, Functional Assays
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Biosciences and Medicines,
Vol.9 No.12,
December
29,
2021
ABSTRACT: Prunella vulgaris (PV) is a herb which grows widely around the world. It is used in traditional medicine in different continents worldwide. This article reviewed the research studies in the last three decades about the use of this herb in the treatment of cancer. Specifically, this study concentrates on the scientific in-vitro methods used, as the in-vitro methods were the most preferred methods used in the past. Cell viability/apoptosis, migration, anti-oxidative activities, and the underlying molecular mechanisms were the features which most of the research focused. The aim of this article was to summarize on what molecular mechanisms, which these previous research found responsible for the anti-tumoral effect of PV. The assays to investigate the aforementioned items were organized and displayed, including the proteomic methods which study the underlying molecular mechanisms. By categorizing and organizing these methods, the directions and emphases taken by the research efforts were revealed.