The genus inula ( asteracea) as source of anticancer agents

Abstract

Cancer is a group of more than 100 distinct diseases characterized by the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the body. The World Health Organization has estimated that the global cancer burden could be reduced by as much as 30 to 50% through prevention strategies, particularly through the avoidance of known risk factors. Medicinal plants have a role in curing and avoiding such cell proliferation. The local people used the plants in a traditional way for all health problems from the ancient period. One of the plant genera, Inula, belongs to the tribe Inuleae and the family Asteraceae with about 100 species. Diverse biological activities have been attributed to this genus including anticancer, antibacterial, hepatoprotective, cytotoxic and antiinflammatory. The species growing in East Asia are widely used by the local people for varied medicinal properties which have prompted many workers to study the phytochemistry of these species that ultimately resulted in the extraction of a number of novel bioactive molecules. This emphasizes the need for extensive study for revealing the medicinal importance of the other species of Inula.