Side Effects of Chemotherapy and Ayurvedic Treatment

Panax ginseng (Ren Shen/Ginseng) is a forest herb that has been used by Chinese medical practitioners for more than 2000 years. It inhibits the growth of cancer by interfering with the DNA synthesis. Panax ginseng contains several active constituents, which include saponins, essential oils, phytosterols, amino acids, peptides, vitamins and minerals. Saponins enhance the activity of the natural killer cells (NK cells), stimulate the macrophages and promote the production of the antibodies. According to a report published in the Free Radical Biology and Medicine, the side effects of cancer effect of Panax ginseng is mainly due to its ability to protect the body against free radicals. Studies have shown that Panax ginseng decreases the incidence of liver cancer by 75 per cent. Panax ginseng is used by the Chinese doctors to treat cancers of the ovary and the stomach. Two Korean researchers, T.K. Yun and S.Y. Choi, have reported that the incidence of cancer decreases significantly after administration of Panax ginseng. Studies have revealed that Panax ginseng regenerates the natural killer cells (NK cells), which are damaged by chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Astragalus membranaceus (Huang Qi) is used by Chinese doctors to treat advanced cases of liver cancer. Swainsonine, a derivative of Astragalus membranaceus, is known to prevent metastases. A study conducted at the Peking Cancer Institute has recorded much higher survival rate in the patients of advanced-stage liver cancer after administration of Astragalus membranaceus along with conventional treatment as compared to those patients, who were given the conventional treatment alone. Astragalus membranaceus protects the liver from toxic effects of chemotherapy. Astragalus membranaceus is often used in combination with Panax ginseng. According to research done in Japan, the Ginseng-Astragalus combination (GAC) has a regulatory effect on the natural killer cells (NK cells). Studies have also shown that GAC protects the body from toxic side effects of chemotherapy and enhances the activity of the immune cells. GAC is found to regulate the secretion of the stress hormone, cortisol. Astragalus membranaceus is used in China along with another herb called Ligustrum lucidum. A study conducted at Loma Linda University in California has revealed that Astragalus membranaceus and Ligustrum lucidum, enhance the immune-stimulating effect of each other when given together.

Amygdalin (Laetrile) has been used by Chinese physicians for more than 3,500 years to treat various tumours. Ernest Krebs, a noted biochemist, has confirmed the anticancer activity of Amygdalin, which is derived from Fagopyrum esculentum, Panicum miliaceum and seeds of Prunasin family (including Prunus armenica, Prunus cerasus, Prunus persica and Prunus domestica). Amygdalin is one of the nitrilosides (natural cyanide-containing substances), which consists of two molecules, i.e. benzaldehyde and cyanide.  In the body, these two molecules split off in the liver by an enzyme, called beta-glucosidase to form glucuronic acid. Another enzyme known as glucuronidase that is present in higher concentrations in the cancerous cells breaks glucuronic acid to produce cyanide that kills the cancerous cells. It is worth mentioning that cancerous cells do not contain rhodanese (sulphur transferase), an enzyme, which is found in normal cells of the body. Rhodanase protects normal cells of the body from the killing effects of cyanide by converting free cyanide into a relatively harmless substance known as thiocyanate.