Anthraquinones and cancer treatment
Anthraquinones are a class of compounds derived from various plants, including aloe, senna, rhubarb, and sheep sorrel. These compounds have garnered interest in the context of cancer treatment, particularly for conditions like prostate cancer, breast cancer, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and acute leukemia. Historically, anthraquinones have been used in herbal mixtures such as Essiac and Flor-Essence, which were popularized in the 1920s by Canadian nurse Rene Caisse, who claimed to have witnessed their efficacy in cancer treatment. While some studies suggest that anthraquinones may possess anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic properties against tumor cells, their effectiveness and safety remain unproven in rigorous scientific literature.
Consumption methods typically include oral intake through teas made from the relevant herbs, though intravenous administration has also been noted. However, it's important to recognize potential side effects, such as diarrhea and hyperkalemia, along with other adverse reactions like nausea and skin irritation. Furthermore, while some anthraquinones exhibit tumor-inhibition properties, others may paradoxically stimulate tumor growth or even carry carcinogenic risks, particularly synthetic variants used in dyes. As with many alternative therapies, there is concern that reliance on anthraquinones could lead to delays in conventional cancer treatment.
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Anthraquinones and cancer treatment
DEFINITION: Anthraquinones are derived from plant products. Anthraquinones naturally occur in some plants, such as aloe, senna, rhubarb, Cascara buckthorn, and sheep sorrel. Indian rhubarb root (Rheum palmatum) contains several anthraquinones. Sheep sorrel (Rumex acetosella) also includes several types of anthraquinones. Subclasses of this group are emodin, aloe emodin, and anthraquinone derivatives.
Cancers treated or prevented:Prostate cancer, breast cancer, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, acute leukemia.
Delivery routes: Anthraquinones may be consumed orally as a mixture of several botanicals, such as in tea, although intravenous administration has been used in the past.
How these drugs work: Anthraquinones are ingredients in herbal mixtures such as Essiac or Flor-Essence. They are typically consumed as a tea. The primary herbs in these botanical mixtures, rhubarb and sheep sorrel, are thought to contain anthraquinones. Such herbal extracts have been in use as a cancer treatment since the 1920s when they were popularized by a Canadian nurse, Rene Caisse. Caisse obtained the recipe from a woman who claimed that it cured her breast cancer. Caisse opened a clinic and treated patients for more than forty years. After her death, researchers at Memorial Sloan-Kettering in New York tested her product with inconclusive results. Many of the individual herbs in these formulas contain molecules with anticancer, antioxidant, or anti-inflammatory properties; however, no peer-reviewed scientific literature has shown the efficacy or safety of Essiac or Flor-Essence in patients with cancer.
Anthraquinones are alleged to have anti-inflammatory effects and cytotoxic effects against tumor cells. Proponents claim that they strengthen the immune system, reduce tumor size, and improve and prolong the lives of people with many types of cancer. Although they have been shown to have tumor-inhibition properties, they have also been shown to stimulate tumor cell growth. Some types of anthraquinones may be carcinogenic, particularly those that are synthetically produced for use as dyes. Anthraquinones have been shown to stimulate various cytokines that are important in tumor cell defense, including IL-1, IL-6, and TNF.
Side effects: Natural anthraquinones and their derivatives have laxative properties. Therefore, a side effect associated with anthraquinones is diarrhea. A second is hyperkalemia, which results from chronic diarrhea. These anthraquinones have also been reported to cause nausea, vomiting, and contact dermatitis. A principal danger of this and other unconventional therapies is that they may delay diagnosis and conventional treatment of serious diseases.
Bibliography
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"Essiac/Flor Essence (PDQ®)-Patient Version." National Cancer Institute, 28 May 2024, www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/cam/patient/essiac-pdq, Accessed 19 June 2024.
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Ottenweller, Jessica, et al. "Inhibition of Prostate Cancer-Cell Proliferation by Essiac®." Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, vol. 10, no. 4, 2004, pp. 687–91.