Effect of Ayurvedic Herbs on Glioblastoma Multiforme
Advisor(s)
Dr. Sowmya Anjur; Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy
Discipline
Medical and Health Sciences
Start Date
21-4-2021 10:25 AM
End Date
21-4-2021 10:40 AM
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a stage IV astrocytoma, accounting for over 60% of all brain tumors in adults and a very poor prognosis of just 14-15 months. Despite numerous current treatment options, GBM recurs 90% of the time. With barriers in affordability and hesitance toward synthetic medicines, many people have turned to natural treatments for GBM. Last year, we tested the cytotoxicity of the U118 GBM cell line when treated with the common Ayurvedic herbs, hing, triphala, and coriander. With our initial testing, we found that the optimal concentration of triphala is 8 μl to induce cytotoxicity. This year due to the COVID-19 pandemic and lack of access to a lab, we shifted to conducting a meta-analysis of existing literature instead. We expanded our focus from three herbs, to a broader range of Ayurvedic herbs and their effects on not only Glioblastoma but on all types of cancers. For each herb, we have studied the structural compound and referenced existing studies on cancer cells to determine how these compounds would behave on GBM. Using these studies, we have also drawn conclusions on how the herbal compounds can be used as anti-inflammatory and antioxidative compounds to treat side effects of GBM.
Effect of Ayurvedic Herbs on Glioblastoma Multiforme
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a stage IV astrocytoma, accounting for over 60% of all brain tumors in adults and a very poor prognosis of just 14-15 months. Despite numerous current treatment options, GBM recurs 90% of the time. With barriers in affordability and hesitance toward synthetic medicines, many people have turned to natural treatments for GBM. Last year, we tested the cytotoxicity of the U118 GBM cell line when treated with the common Ayurvedic herbs, hing, triphala, and coriander. With our initial testing, we found that the optimal concentration of triphala is 8 μl to induce cytotoxicity. This year due to the COVID-19 pandemic and lack of access to a lab, we shifted to conducting a meta-analysis of existing literature instead. We expanded our focus from three herbs, to a broader range of Ayurvedic herbs and their effects on not only Glioblastoma but on all types of cancers. For each herb, we have studied the structural compound and referenced existing studies on cancer cells to determine how these compounds would behave on GBM. Using these studies, we have also drawn conclusions on how the herbal compounds can be used as anti-inflammatory and antioxidative compounds to treat side effects of GBM.