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American ginseng/drug
combination inhibits growth of breast cancer cells
In a laboratory study, combinations of standardized American
ginseng extract (Panax quinquefolius) and synthetic drugs
commonly used to treat breast cancer appeared to act synergistically
to inhibit the growth of breast cancer cells. The study was designed
to assess the possible estrogenic properties of American ginseng,
the effects of American ginseng on the cancer cell cycle, and
the interaction of American ginseng and standard chemotherapeutic
drugs, including doxorubicin, tamoxifen, taxol, methotrexate,
cytoxan, and megace, on cancer cell proliferation. The researchers
selected an estrogen-sensitive cancer cell line model for use
in the study. Results indicated that American ginseng had a paradoxical
effect on the cancer cells, inducing the expression of the estrogen-regulated
gene pS2 at a rate comparable to estrogen. Unlike estrogen, however,
it did not increase the proliferative phase of the cancer cell
cycle. In addition, concurrent administration of ginseng with
most of the cancer drugs studied significantly inhibited cancer
cell growth. The researchers concluded, "Further investigations
are warranted to evaluate possible synergistic in vivo effects
of the combination of [American ginseng] and cancer therapeutics."
The standardized American ginseng extract used in this study,
CNT2000™, was supplied by Chai-Na-Ta-Corp of Langley, British
Columbia. No details about the standardization were provided.
Duda RB, Zhong Y, Navas V, et al. American ginseng and breast
cancer therapeutic agents synergistically inhibit MCF-7 breast
cancer cell growth. Journal of Surgical Oncology 1999;
72: 230-239.
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