ABSTRACT
Medicinal plants of different origins have been used for the treatment of diseases. Medicinal plants used by Himalayan for the treatment of hypertensions and uterine diseases are used as an anticoagulant [1]. Many of the medicinal properties of Paeonia emodi have been demonstrated in different animal models. Different classes of active phytochemicals such as triterpenoids, phenolics, and tannins are believed to be responsible for pharmacological activities [1]. These phytochemicals exhibit wide therapeutic activities, including free radical scavenging properties. Many of the natural products have been used to intervene in multistage carcinogenesis [2]. Different analogues based on plant-derived constituents have been prepared to evaluate the medicinal properties of potent phytochemicals. Studies have shown that natural product research has surged in the last two decades. Phytochemicals such as berberine, curcumin from turmeric, and genistein from soy bean have produced overwhelming publications. Among the natural antioxidants, ascorbic acid has been long believed to contribute to cancer therapy. The use of ascorbic acid in cancer treatment provides an alternative approach to cancer therapy. The mechanism of ascorbic acid for cancer therapy is attributed to its antioxidant properties and its ability to alter the metabolism of carcinogens, to enhance collagen synthesis essential for tumor encapsulation, and to stimulate the immune system. It is believed that mobilization of the immune system by anticancer agents can prevent cancer development due to interference with cancer cell signaling [2] and can ght against cancer too.
