Herbal medicine exhibiting cell cycle arrest: A short review

Cancer treatment often involves the use of chemotherapy, which can have significant side effects. Herbal medicines have been used for centuries and have shown potential as sources of new therapeutic agents. This review explores the role of specific herbal medicines, such as ginseng, curcumin, berberine, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), and quercetin, in inducing cell cycle arrest, a mechanism that controls cell proliferation. The review discusses the molecular mechanisms underlying these effects, their potential in combination with chemotherapy, and their implications for clinical application in cancer therapy. The combination of herbal medicines with conventional chemotherapeutic agents can result in synergistic effects that enhance therapeutic efficacy. However, there are challenges in terms of standardization, safety evaluation, and the need for more research to understand the molecular mechanisms and optimize treatment protocols. With further investigation and clinical validation, herbal-drug combination therapies could have a significant impact on cancer treatment.