Biba Vikas

By Biba Vikas and Sukumaran Anil

Cell growth is referred to as cell proliferation, that is, the increase in cell numbers during repeated cell division. Cell growth can be defined as the enlargement of cell volume, which might take place in the absence of cell division. Growth and reproduction are features of cells in all living organisms. All cells reproduce by dividing into two, with each parental cell giving rise to two daughter cells each time they divide. Various genes are involved in the control of cell division and growth. Reproduction in unicellular organisms are referred to cell division and in multicellular organisms it is tissue growth and maintenance. Survival of the eukaryotes depends upon interactions between various cell types, that helps in the balanced distribution. This is achieved through the highly regulated process of cell proliferation. Knowledge in cell cycle is necessary to determine the best time to collect cells, to harvest cell products, or to move cells to a new growth environment. Cancer cells do not die at the natural point in a cell’s life cycle. Cancer cells occur as the results of cellular changes caused by the uncontrolled growth and division of cells. The chapter focuses on cancer cell maintenance, apoptosis, and its detection assays.

Part of the book: Cell Growth

By Biba Vikas, Vishnupriya K. Sweety, Sukumaran Anil and Senthilnathan Palaniyandi

This chapter comprehensively reviews numerous herbs and spices’ anticancer properties and mechanisms. Curcumin, derived from turmeric, exhibits cytotoxic, anti-proliferative, anti-invasive, and anti-metastatic effects against diverse cancer types by interacting with pathways controlling inflammation, survival, cell cycle, apoptosis, and angiogenesis. Ginger and its active compounds demonstrate antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-tumor activities in breast, skin, lung, and gastrointestinal cancer models, potentially through free radical scavenging, inhibiting inflammation, disrupting microtubules, and altering apoptotic gene expression. Garlic organosulfur compounds induce apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, and antioxidant activity in various malignancies by affecting signaling proteins like STAT3 and VEGF. Basil, caraway, cinnamon, clove, coriander, dill, cumin, rosemary, saffron, thyme, and oregano extracts restricted growth, prompted cell death and beneficially impacted proliferation, metastasis, and angiogenesis markers across numerous cancer cell lines. Black pepper, cayenne pepper, green tea, and milk thistle constituents displayed cytotoxic, immune-enhancing, and chemopreventive actions against diverse human cancer models through modulation of pathways connected to oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, detoxification, and malignant proliferation. The immunomodulatory herbs astragalus, ginseng, echinacea, St. John’s wort, and cat’s claw also exhibited direct anticancer effects in specific cellular and rodent experiments. Many dietary phytochemicals show promising anticancer potential, but more clinical trials are needed to substantiate therapeutic efficacy in humans.

Part of the book: Herbs and Spices - New Perspectives in Human Health and Food Industry [Working title]