Exploring Herbal Remedies For Skin Cancer: A Comprehensive Review
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Abstract
Skin cancer, ranked as the fifth most prevalent cancer, is a rising health threat, emphasizing the need for innovative treatments. Genetic mutations cause skin cell abnormalities leading to various cancers, especially melanoma. Current treatments, such as radiation therapy and chemotherapy, have limitations, necessitating advancements in technology and therapy. Early detection is crucial for effective intervention, and diagnostic methods encompass blood tests, imaging, biopsies, and genetic tests, followed by staging to determine disease severity. This review focuses on herbal remedies from medicinal plants like ursolic acid, genistic acid, luteolin, curcumin, and others, demonstrating anti-cancer properties in inhibiting proliferation and modulating molecular processes. Studies, primarily in vitro and animals, offer insights into their potential for skin cancer prevention. The review synthesizes diverse literature, providing nuanced insights into herbal remedies’ molecular mechanisms for innovative therapeutic approaches. Emphasizing the importance of human trials, particularly for compounds like ursolic acid and genistic acid, is crucial for validating efficacy and safety. Herbal remedies align with WHO recommendations, holding promise for more effective and holistic skin cancer treatments. Ongoing research supports the integration of these compounds into treatment protocols, marking a hopeful frontier in combatting this pervasive disease.
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