Elephantopus scaber- anticancer herb has been patented in an anticancer formulation.
This plant has been used in medicine, both in Ayurveda and TCM. In Ayurveda, it is used as a remedy for diabetes, skin diseases, ulcers, etc. The leaves from the plant are boiled and applied externally for eczema and ulcers. The root is useful in medicine.
In Chinese medicine, the herb is used for skin and respiratory ailments. Essential oil is also produced from the plant and used in medicine.
The plant is a small perennial herb just 10–50 cm in height that grows in moist shady places across East and Southern Asia, China, Europe, Australia, Central America, and Mexico. It belongs to the Compositae/Asteraceae family. Sesquiterpene lactones, triterpenoids, steroids, and flavonoids have been isolated from the herb and tested for their anti-cancer potential.
Elephantopus scaber- anticancer herb scientific review
Deoxyelephantopin is one sesquiterpene lactone that has shown anti-cancer potential in trials conducted by multiple researchers. Sesquiterpene lactones are molecules that help protect the body from cancer and cardiovascular diseases. The action has been studied in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells (Kabeer et al., 2013), melanoma (Than et al., 2005), human cervical cancer and human sarcoma (Geetha et al., 2012), murine leukemia (Singh, 2005), human breast cancer cells (Ho et al., 2011), lung cancer (Kabeer et al., 2013), and lung cancer (Farha et al., 2015).
A combination of herbs that include E. scaber and other herbs such as Angelica sinensis, Aloe vera, Saussurea lappa, Scutellaria baicalensis, Phyllodendron chinense, Coptis chinensis, Gardenia jasminoides, Rheum palmatum, Indofera tinctorial and Moschus moschiferus has entered phase I and II clinical trials. The trials aim to improve chemotherapy’s effectiveness on patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (Han, 1988). This development is promising, although we are still far from discovering a new drug.
A composition of eleven herbals has been patented for treating cancer (US6780441 B2). This preparation comprises a mixture of Withania somnifera, Chlorphyton borivilianum, Boerhavia diffusa, Elephantopus scaber, Moringa oleifera, Tecoma undulata, Bauhinia purpurea, Ficus racemosa, Cyperus rotundus, Sphaeranthus acmella, and Tinospora cordifolia. The patent notification claims the invention effectively treats cancer, especially squamous cell carcinomas, tumors, and other cancers, including lung cancer.
Another US patent (US 8754121BS) that uses deoxyelephantopin (DET) and analogs have been registered as a treatment for melanoma. This patent claims to reduce the side effects of anti-cancer agents. Yet another US patent (US 9173868B2), which also uses DET and analogs to reduce the side effects of anti-cancer agents, has been registered.
A herbal formulation containing seven herbs (Tinospora cordifolia, Chlorphyton borivilianum, Curcuma longa, Asparagus racemosus, Hygrophila auriculata, Achyranthus aspera, and Elephantopus scaber) has been registered to treat cancer, especially myelomas (US 200301147896 A1).
While these patents indicate the value of herbs such as Elephantopus scaber and others in treating cancer, scientists have noted caution about using herbs with existing drug interactions. Elephantopus scaber herb action, for instance, is synergistic with the anti-cancer medicine tamoxifen. They warn clinicians to be vigilant when treating cancer patients with these alternative medicine formulations. The interactions must be closely watched while recommending these formulations. The possibility of negative reactions from chemicals found in herbs and cancer medicines should be considered before prescribing herbal medication and anti-cancer drug combinations. (Yap et al., 2010).
Planting and gardening
The plant is gathered from the wild. The leaves are eaten locally in Africa. The perennial herb can be propagated from seed. It requires little water and prefers semi-shade.
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