Preprint / Version 1

Unravelling the Anticancer Mechanisms of Traditional Herbal Medicines with Metabolomics

Authors

  • Omolola Oyenihi Oxidative Stress Research Centre, Phytomedicine and Phytochemistry Group, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, P.O. Box 1906, Bellville 7535, South Africa; [email protected]
  • Ayodeji Oyenihi Functional Foods Research Unit, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, P.O. Box 1906, Bellville 7535, South Africa; [email protected]
  • Joseph Erhabor Department of Pharmacology, University of the Free State, P.O. Box 339, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa; [email protected]
  • Motlalepula Matsabisa Department of Pharmacology, University of the Free State, P.O. Box 339, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa; [email protected]
  • Oluwafemi Oguntibeju Oxidative Stress Research Centre, Phytomedicine and Phytochemistry Group, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, P.O. Box 1906, Bellville 7535, South Africa; [email protected]

Keywords:

cancer, herb, metabolic reprogramming, metabolomics, phytomedicine

Abstract

Metabolite profiling of cancer cells presents many opportunities for anticancer drug discovery. The Chinese, Indian, and African flora, in particular, offers a diverse source of anticancer therapeutics as documented in traditional folklores. In-depth scientific information relating to mechanisms of action, quality control, and safety profile will promote their extensive usage in cancer therapy. Metabolomics may be a more holistic strategy to gain valuable insights into the anticancer mechanisms of action of plants but this has remained largely unexplored. This review, therefore, presents the available metabolomics studies on the anticancer effects of herbal medicines commonly used in Africa and Asia. In addition, we present some scientifically understudied ‘candidate plants’ for cancer metabolomics studies and highlight the relevance of metabolomics in addressing other challenges facing the drug development of anticancer herbs. Finally, we discussed the challenges of using metabolomics to uncover the underlying mechanisms of potential anticancer herbs and the progress made in this regard. Keywords: cancer, herb, metabolic reprogramming, metabolomics, phytomedicine

Author Biography

Joseph Erhabor, Department of Pharmacology, University of the Free State, P.O. Box 339, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa; [email protected]

Phytomedicine Unit, Department of Plant Biology and Biotechnology, University of Benin, PMB 1154, Benin City 300001, Nigeria

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