INTRODUCTION:-

CANCER, a disease caused by an uncontrolled division of abnormal cells in a part of the

body. More than over 100 different kinds of cancer has been detected word wide land are
classified according to the type of cell that is initially affected (Table 1.)
World scenario
Indian scenario

Mechanism of onset of cancer
Uncontrolled division of the cells harms the body of organisms and form lumps or masses of
tissues called as tumours.
After its proper growth, it interfere with the nervous, circulatory and digestive system and is
capable of releasing hormones that alters body functions. Tumours that stay in one spot and
demonstrate limited growth are generally considered to be begin.

Figure.1. Showing person having mouth cancer.

Malignant or more dangerous tumours form by two different ways:-
a.Invasion,a process in which cancerous cells that manage to move throughout the body
using blood or lymph system destroying healthy tissues.
b.Angiogensis, growth and division of cells by making new blood vessels to feed itself.

Successful, growth and spreading to all parts of the body by invading and destroying healthy
tissue is defined as metastasized. This process is a serious condition that is very difficult to
treat.
Detestation and treatment
Although now a days modern science had made major different ways to understand cancer
and it molecular basis, but still the knowledge about how treat and prevent it is lagging
behind.
Modern medicine is evidence based and practices the use of a discrete, well defined
chemicals entity for the treatment of given diseases. In contrast, whether traditional
medicine that has existed for thousand years has any relevance in todays world or can be
used in combination is focus in this review. This review, particular concentrate on ayurvedic
approach for treatment and prevention of cancer.

HISTORY:-
Ayurveda, natural healing system in India. It is one of the oldest method of treatment in
medical science. Origin of ayurveda is attributed to Atharva veda, also known as science of
long life. It is about 5000 years old.

Ayurveda science which deals basically with diseases and other things that deter the growth
process. Until 700 BC, this science wasnt pen downed and was orally discussed by the
vaidya( ayurvedic physicians and surgeons). After that two different textbooks were
published. a.charaka samhita- by charaka, this book includes etiology, symptomatology,
pathology, prognosis and medical management of diseases. b.sushruta samhita-by
sushruta, this book deals with surgical instruments and different methods and procedure.


CONCEPT OF HEALTH IN AYURVEDIC SCIENCE
In ayurvedic science, patient is treated with all possible ways that is consist of body along
with mind and spirit as well. According to ayurveda, all diseases are interconnected to each
other with psychophysiologic and pathologic changes inside the body and all are caused
because of the imbalance in three different dosha i.e. pitta, vatta and kapha.(Figure.2.b.)
Ayurvedic science works on the principle of maintaining balance between these three pillar
of the body system. Any change or imbalance can give rise to inflammation (also called as
sopha). There are seven different major type of inflammation present in ayurvedic science-
vataja, pittaja, sannipataja, raktaja, vishaja ,abhighataja and kaphaja.(Figure.2.c.)
Ayurvedic definition of pittaja sopha is analog of modern medical concept of inflammation
which includes- redness,pain,heat,loss of function and swelling.(Figure.2.d.)
A complete co-ordination between body, mind and consciousness is termed as health in
ayurvedic science.




Figure.2.a. Showing ancient physicians.
b.Dosha (viz.pitta,vatta,kapha)
c.Sopha(inflammation)
d. Effects of inflammation
e.Granthi and Arbuda
PATHOGENESIS OF TUMOURS

Ayurveda, proposed different stages of tumorigenesis as chronic inflammatory and
interactable diseases with hte possibility of developing malignancy, precancerous growth
and probable malignancy, granthi(benign glandular swelling) and arbuda(definite
malignancy;Figure.2.e.)
In, ayurvedic approach the disease can not be named on its own because it varies persons to
persons in terms of occurance, cause of illness, symptoms, clinical presentation and
treatment.
There are six stages in the pathogenesis of all diseases proposed in sushruta :-
1.Sanchaya :-early stages of localized neoplastic changes.
2.Prakopa :-transformation of primary growth into metastatic one.
3.Prasana :- metastasis.
4.Sthana samsraya :- complete metastasis and secondary growth.
5.Vyakti :- clinical sign and symptoms are exposed/expressed.
6.Bheda :- the stage where differentiation of growth occurs on the basis of
histopathology.

According to ayurveda, cancer is caused due to lifestyle i.e. poor hygiene, unhygienic and
unhealthy food, behaviour or physical trauma, all these together disturbs the balance
between three doshas, which give rise to injury to the inner layer of dermis(rohini, sixth
layer of the skin) and development of abnormal blood vessels. At this stage early granthi
and arbuda develop, which is a bubble shaped glandular growth.
1.Granthi, is round, hard and bulging swelling.
2.Arbuda, is round, large, muscular, immovable, deeply rooted, slowly growing swelling.
Arbuda and Granthi both can be inflammatory or non-inflammatory based on doshas
involved.
Tumours, arises due to the involvement of all three doshas are usually malignanat because
all three body system lack balance and mutual co-ordination.
Cancer can also be detected by other different symptoms such as-
a. loss of appetite
b. anemia
c. cachexia
d. loss of weight







TREATMENT:-
Principle treatment of cancer with ayurvedic science has been didvided into four division:-
1.Prakritisthapani chikitsa :- health maintenance.
2.Rognashani chikitsa :- disease cure.
3.Rasayana chikitsa :- restoration of normal function.
4.Naishthiki chikitsa :- spiritual approach.

Finding the cause is the basic goal of ayurvedic therapy. It classifies disease development
into six stages that consists of aggravation, accumulation, overflow, relocation, build-up in
new location, manifestation into a recognizable diseases.
Treatment involves many different approaches that includes surgery- removal of
tumour,herbal medication, modification of diet and spiritual treatment( eg. detoxification,
prayers, music therapy, sound therapy, stress relief, yoga, meditation, astrology,
aromatherapy and rejuvenation)


Figure: 3. Showing herbs used in ayurvedic treatment.









Table.1. Classical treatment procedure for various tumours.
Type of tumour Tumour subtype Treatment Procedure

1.Granthi Vatika granthi Helloborus niger, Tiospore cordifolira,
Clerodendron serratum,Aegle marmelos,
Hoya veridiflore,Elephantopus
scaber,Soymida febrifuga and Gynandropis
pentaphylla wereapplied locally.
Paittika granthi Terminalia chebula powder with either
grapes or sugarcane juice were used orally
along with that for external use paste of
glycryrrhia glabra, Eugenia jambolana,
Termnalia arjuna or Calamus rotong.
Kapaja granthi For local application paste of Capparis
spinosa, Agati grandiflora, Lagenaria
vulgaris, Premna herbacea, Pongamia
glabra, Musa scapientum and Randia
dumetorum.
2. Arbuda Classical treatment:- Fomentations, cauterisation, scraping, blood
letting medicated enemata and other
surgical procedure.

Traditional treatment:- Habitual intake of Basella rubra or
application of alkali preparations of Musa
paradisiacal, Conch Shell ash, Elaeoearpus
tuberculatus, sulphur, potassium carbonate,
Embelia ribes and ginger were used to cure
arbuda.

Vataja arbuda Paste of Benincasa cerifera, Cucumis
memordica, Cocos nucifera and Eranda
beeja, Ricinus communis alonfg with butter
or milk were applied.


Pittja arbuda Cancer cells were treated with leaves of
Ficus glomerata, Tectona grandis and
Elephantopus scuber repeatedly and then
with a honey mixed fine paste of Aglaja
roxburghiana, Caesalpinia sappa, Symplocos
racemosa, Terminalia arjuna, Xanthium
strumarium was used.

Kaphaja arbuda After surgical removal of tumour, a drug that
removes doshas from both the
ends(purgation and vomiting) were
employed.Then after purification a
decoction of Clitoria ternate, Jasminum
grandiflorum and Nerium odurum leaves
was used. For the postoperative care, oil
cooked with Prenna herbacea, Embelia ribes,
Crissampelos pareira was applied.
Medoja arbuda Curcuma domestica,Triticum sativum,
symplocos racemosa etc were made into a
powder and applied externally by mixing
them with honey. Oil from Pongamia glabra
were used of internal adminidtration.

Validation of ayurveda to treat cancer (Anti-cancer activity of plants used in ayurvedic
treatment for cancer)
Introduction



Sr
no
Name of plant Family Plant part
used
Extraction method Anti-cancerous
compound
Anticancerours activity Reference
Curcuma domestica Zingiberaceae Rhizome Curcumin
(polyphenol)