Impact of natural resources and research on cancer treatment and prevention: A perspective from Cameroon (Review)

Orang-Ojong,Barnabas   Bessem; Munyangaju,Jose   Edward; Wei,Ma   Shang; Lin,Miao; Wei,Fan  Guan; Foukunang,Charles; Zhu,Yan

doi:10.3892/mco.2013.132

Impact of natural resources and research on cancer treatment and prevention: A perspective from Cameroon (Review)

Authors:
- Barnabas Bessem Orang-Ojong
- Jose Edward Munyangaju
- Ma Shang Wei
- Miao Lin
- Fan Guan Wei
- Charles Foukunang
- Yan Zhu
View Affiliations

Affiliations: Tianjin State Key Laboratory of Modern Chinese Medicine, Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Development, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin 300139, P.R. China, Department of Pharmacy and Traditional Pharmacopoeia Development, University of Yaoundé 1, Yaoundé and faculty of Medicines University of Bamenda, 00237, Cameroon
Published online on: May 27, 2013 https://doi.org/10.3892/mco.2013.132
Pages: 610-620

Metrics: Total Views: 0 (Spandidos Publications: | PMC Statistics: )

Metrics: Total PDF Downloads: 0 (Spandidos Publications: | PMC Statistics: )

Cited By (CrossRef): 0 citations Loading Articles...

Abstract

Cancer is a significant public health concern and treatment poses a problem and is frequently unsuccessful. As such, continuous efforts in the search for new agents and therapies to improve survival are required. A considerable number of plant extracts and isolated compounds possess significant anti-proliferative or pro-apoptotic effects. The majority of biologically active compounds belong to terpenoids, phenolics and alkaloids. Terpenoid plants such as Hypericum lanceolatum and a few alkaloid plants have been found to be potent anti-parasitic agents but have exhibited poor antimicrobial effects. The screening of medicinal plants for anticancer drugs has provided modern medicine with effective cytotoxic pharmaceuticals. Numerous medicinal plants have traditionally been used for the treatment of various ailments. However, a number of these medicinal plants have not been standardized and their mechanisms of actions are generally unknown. Active drug discovery research using local medicinal plants is ongoing. Some of these plant-derived compounds, including 3,39-dimethoxy-49-O-β-D-xylopyronosylellagic acid, have been tested for their potential use as anticancer agents. This review discussed the scope and possibility of natural products as anticancer remedy.

View Figures

View References

1.	World Health Organization (WHO): Cancer prevention and control; report to the secretariat by the 58th World Health Assembly. http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/releases/2005/pr_wha05/en/index.html. Accessed January 23, 2012.
2.	WHO: The global burden of disease: 2004 update. Geneva: pp. 1–150. 2008
3.	WHO world health statistics 2009: Cause-specific mortality and morbidity. http://www.who.int/whosis/whostat/EN_WHS09_Table2.pdf. Accessed January 23, 2012.
4.	WHO world health statistics: Cameroon factsheets of health statistics 2010 and Non Communicable Disease Country Profiles, 2011. http://www.afro.who.int/. Accessed January 23, 2012.
5.	Bray F, Ren JS, Masuyer E and Ferlay J: Global estimates of cancer prevalence for 27 sites in the adult population in 2008. Int J Cancer. July 3–2012.(Epub ahead of print).
6.	Njoumemi Z, Sibetcheu D, Ekoe T and Gbedji E: Tobacco in Cameroon from farming to control in Africa tobacco situational analysis. https://www.atsa.org. Accessed January 18, 2012.
7.	Jemal A, Bray F, Forman D, O’Brien M, Ferlay J, Center M and Parkin DM: Cancer burden in Africa and opportunities for prevention. Cancer. 118:4372–4384. 2012. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI
8.	Jemal A, Bray F, Ferlay J, Ward E and Forman D: Global cancer statistics. CA Cancer J Clin. 61:69–90. 2011. View Article : Google Scholar
9.	Ferlay J, Shin HR, Bray F, Forman D, Mathers C and Parkin DM: Estimates of worldwide burden of cancer in 2008: GLOBOCAN 2008. Int J Cancer. 127:2893–2917. 2010. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI
10.	Ferlay J, Shin HR, Bray F, Forman D, Mathers CD and Parkin DM: GLOBOCAN 2008: Cancer Incidence, Mortality and Prevalence Worldwide in 2008. http://globocan.iarc.fr. Accessed June 17, 2012.
11.	Parkin DM: The global health burden of infection-associated cancers in the year 2002. Int J Cancer. 118:3030–3044. 2006.PubMed/NCBI
12.	Parkin DM, Sitas F, Phil D, Chirenje M, Stein L, Abratt R and Wabinga H: Part I: Cancer in indigenous Africans - burden, distribution, and trends. Lancet Oncol. 9:683–692. 2008. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI
13.	Frenk J, Bobadilla J, Sepùlveda J and Cervantes ML: Health transition in middle-income countries: new challenges for health care. Health Policy Plan. 4:29–39. 1989. View Article : Google Scholar
14.	Ferlay J, Shin HR, Bray F, Forman D, Mathers CD and Parkin D: GLOBOCAN 2008: Cancer Incidence and Mortality Worldwide. IARC CancerBase No. 10. Lyon, France: IARC; 2010, http://globocan.iarc.fr. 2010. Accessed June 17, 2012.
15.	Ndom P, Germaine U, Bell EMD, Eloundou A, Hossain N and Huo D: Characterization of male breast cancer in Yaoundé, Cameroon and a meta-analysis of literature in Africa. 1–15. 2007.
16.	Hippolyte KW, Kowa TK, Lonfouo AN, Tchinda AT, Tane P, Kikuchi H, Frédérich M and Oshima Y: Phenolic compounds and terpenoids from hypericum lanceolatum. Rec Nat Prod. 6:94–100. 2012.
17.	Lenta BN, Tantangmo F, Devkota KP, Wansi JD, Chouna JR, Soh RC, Neumann B, Stammler HG, Tsamo E and Sewald N: Bioactive constituents of the stem bark of beilschmiedia zenkeri. J Nat Prod. 72:2130–2134. 2009. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI
18.	Kuete V, Mbaveng AT, Tsaffack M, Beng VP, Etoa FX, Nkengfack AE, Meyer MJJ and Lall N: Antitumor, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of Bersama engleriana(melianthaceae). J Ethnopharmacol. 115:494–501. 2008. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI
19.	Kuete V, Vouffo B, Mbaveng AT, Vouffo EY, Siagat RM and Dongo E: Evaluation of Antiaris africana methanol extract and compounds for antioxidant and antitumor activities. Pharm Biol. 47:1042–1049. 2009.
20.	Enow-Orock GE, Ndom P, Essame-Oyono JL and Doh AS: Cancer incidence in Yaounde 2004–2008: Yaoundé cancer registry technical report. Yaoundé: National Cancer Control Program, Cameroon; pp. 26–27. 2009
21.	United state development service (USDS): 2010, http://www.hhs.gov/secretary/about/priorities/strategicplan2010-2015.pdf and http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/hus/hus10.pdf. Accessed September 5, 2012.
22.	UK border and immigration service’s 2008: Country of origin information report. http://supportkurds.org/reports/new-home-officeuk-borders-agency-country-of-origin-information-report. Accessed August 26, 2012.
23.	African development bank country strategy papers 2010–2014: Cameroon regional departments center: 2–8, 2009.
24.	World development indicators. International Bank for Reconstruction and Development/The World Bank; Washington, DC: 2009
25.	Cameroon - ministry of economy and finance. Memorandum No. 07/788, 2010.
26.	Barton MB, Frommer M and Shafiq J: Role of radiotherapy in cancer control in low-income and middle-income countries. Lancet Oncol. 7:586–595. 2006. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI
27.	Fezeu L, Fointama E, Ngufor G, Mbeh G and Mbanya JC: Diabetes awareness in general population in Cameroon. Diabetes Res Clin Pract. 90:312–318. 2010. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI
28.	Mbeh GN, Edwards R, Ngufor G, Assah F, Fezeu L and Mbanya JC: Traditional healers and diabetes: results from a pilot project to train traditional healers to provide health education and appropriate health care practices for diabetes patients in Cameroon. Glob Health Promot. 17(Suppl 2): 17–26. 2010. View Article : Google Scholar
29.	Newman DJ and Cragg GM: Natural products as sources of new drugs over the last 25 years. J Nat Prod. 70:461–477. 2007.PubMed/NCBI
30.	Hostettmann K, Marston A, Ndjoko K and Wolfender JL: The potential of African plants as source of drugs. Curr Org Chem. 4:973–1010. 2000.
31.	Mbakop A, Oyono EJL, Ngbangako MC and Abondo A: Current epidemiology of cancers in cameroon (Central Africa). Bull Cancer. 79:1101–1104. 1992.(In French).
32.	Doh AS, Nkele NN, Achu P, Essimbi F, Essame O and Nkegoum B: Visual inspection with acetic acid and cytology as screening methods for cervical lesions in Cameroon. Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 89:167–173. 2005. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI
33.	Suba EJ and Raab SS: Population-based Pap screening in Cameroon. Acta Cytol. 47:948–949. 2003.PubMed/NCBI
34.	Robyr R, Nazeer S, Vassilakos P, Matute JC, Sando Z, Halle G, Mbakop A and Campana A: Feasibility of cytology-based cervical cancer screening in rural Cameroon. Acta Cytol. 46:1110–1116. 2002. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI
35.	Enow-Orock G, Mbu R, Ngowe NM, Tabung FK, Mboudou E, Ndom P, Nkele N, Takang W, Essame-Oyono JL and Doh A: Gynecological cancer profile in the Yaounde population, Cameroon. Clin Mother Child Health. 3:437–444. 2006.
36.	Kemfang JDN, Yomi J, Kasia JM, Mawamba Y, Ekortarh AC and Vlastos G: Breast cancer profile in a group of patients followed up at the Radiation Therapy Unit of the Yaounde General Hospital, cameroon. Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 2011:1435062011.PubMed/NCBI
37.	Tebeu PM, Petignat P and Mhawech-Fauceglia P: Gynecological malignancies in Maroua, Cameroon. Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 104:148–149. 2009. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI
38.	Eniu A, Carlson RW, Aziz Z, Bines J, Hortobágyi GN, Bese NS, Love RR, Vikram B, Kurkure A and Anderson BO: Breast cancer in limited resource countries; treatment and allocation of resources. Breast J. 12(Suppl 1): S38–S53. 2006.PubMed/NCBI
39.	Simpson D: Cameroon-disappearing ads mark good start. Tob Control. 16:295–296. 2007.
40.	Drope J: The politics of smoke-free policies in developing countries: Lessons from Africa. CVD Prev Control. 5:65–73. 2010. View Article : Google Scholar
41.	Ezzati M, Henley SJ, Lopez AD and Thun MJ: Role of smoking in global and regional cancer epidemiology- current patterns and data needs. Int J Cancer. 116:963–971. 2005. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI
42.	Mfoundi department, Cameroon: Memorandum No. 1913. 2007
43.	Africa tobacco situational analyses (ATSA) project 105799. https://www.idrc.ca/en/ev-155993-201_105799-1-IDRC_ADM_INFO.html. Accessed July 11, 2012.
44.	Law framework on consumer protection in cameroon. http://www.legicam.org/index.php. Accessed July 11, 2012.
45.	Sankaranarayanan R, Swaminathan R, Brenner H, et al: Cancer survival in Africa, Asia, and Central America: a population-based study. Lancet Oncol. 11:165–173. 2010. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI
46.	Levin V and Tatsuzaki H: Radiotherapy services in countries in transition-gross national income per capita as a significant factor. Radiother Oncol. 63:147–150. 2002. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI
47.	John R and Ross H: The global economic cost of cancer, American cancer society, september, 2010. http://www.cancer.org/AboutUs/GlobalHealth/global-economic-cost-of-cancer-report. Accessed July 23, 2012.
48.	Djoyum B: journal Le jour. Cameroun. 12:2007.
49.	Ahmad K: Millions in developing world deprived of radiotherapy. Lancet Oncol. 4:4562003. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI
50.	Boik J: Natural Compounds in Cancer Therapy. Oregon Medical Press; Princeton, MN, USA: 2001
51.	Stévigny C, Bailly C and Quetin-Leclercq J: Cytotoxic and antitumor potentialities of aporphinoid alkaloids. Curr Med Chem Anticancer Agents. 5:173–182. 2005.PubMed/NCBI
52.	Voss C, Eyol E and Berger MR: Identification of potent anti-cancer activity in Ximenia americana aqueous extracts used by African traditional medicine. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 211:177–187. 2006.
53.	Whelan LC and Ryan MF: Ethanolic extracts of Euphorbia and other ethnobotanical species as inhibitors of human tumour cell growth. Phytomedicine. 10:53–58. 2003.
54.	Kuete V, Wabo HK, Eyong KO, Feussi MT, Wiench B, Krusche BB, Tane P, Folefoc GN and Efferth T: Anticancer activities of six selected natural compounds of some Cameroonian medicinal plants. PLoS ONE. 6:e217622011. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI
55.	Kuete V and Efferth T: Cameroonian medicinal plants: pharmacology and derived natural products. Front Pharmacol. 1:1232010. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI
56.	Pieme CA, Penlap VN, Ngogang J and Costache M: In vitro cytotoxicity and antioxidant activities of five medicinal plants of Malvaceae family from Cameroon. Environ Toxicol Pharmacol. 29:223–228. 2010. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI
57.	Eyong KO, Kumar PS, Kuete V, Folefoc GN, Nkengfack AE and Baskaran S: Semisynthesis and antitumoral activity of 2-acetylfuranonaphthoquinone and other naphthoquinone derivatives from lapachol. Bioorg Med Chem Lett. 18:5387–5390. 2008. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI
58.	Nkengfack A, Azebaze AG, Waffo AK, Fomum ZT, Meyer M and Heerden VF: Cytotoxic isoflavones from Erythrina indica. Phytochemistry. 58:1113–1120. 2001. View Article : Google Scholar
59.	Nkengfack AE, Mkounga P, Fomum ZT, Meyer M and Bodo B: Globulixanthones A and B, two new cytotoxic xanthones with isoprenoid groups from the root bark of Symphonia globulifera. J Nat Prod. 65:734–736. 2002. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI
60.	Fotie J, Bohle DS, Olivier M, Gomez MA and Nzimiro S: Trypanocidal and antileishmanial dihydrochelerythrine derivatives from Garcinia lucida. J Nat Prod. 70:1650–1653. 2007. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI
61.	Jiofack T, Fokunang C, Kemeuze V, Fongnzossie E, Tsabang N, Nkuinkeu R, Mapongmetsem PM and Nkongmeneck BA: Ethnobotany and phytopharmacopoea of the South-West ethnoecological region of Cameroon. J Med Plants Res. 2:197–206. 2008.
62.	Jiofack T, Fokunang C, Guedje N, Kemeuze V, Fongnzossie E, Nkongmeneck BA, Mapongmetsem PM and Tsabang N: Ethnobotanical uses of medicinal plants of two ethnoecological regions of cameroon. Int J Med Med Sci. 2:60–79. 2010.
63.	Focho DA, Ndam WT and Fonge BA: Medicinal plants of Aguambu-Bamumbu in the Lebialem highlands, southwest province of Cameroon. Afr J Pharm Pharacol. 3:1–13. 2009.
64.	Bodeker G: Traditional health knowledge and public policy. Nature and Resource. 30:5–16. 1994.
65.	UNESCO: Traditional knowledge in tropical environment. Nature and Resource. 30:1994.
66.	Posey DA and Dutfield G: Beyond Intellectual Property -Towards Traditional Resource Rights for Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities. Ottawa, Canada: International Development Research Center; 1996
67.	Wambebe C: Development and production of standardised phytomedicines. National Institute for Pharmaceutical; Abuja, Nigeria: 1998
68.	McCarey C, Pirek D, Tebeu PM, Boulvain M, Doh AS and Petignat P: Awareness of HPV and cervical cancer prevention among Cameroonian healthcare workers. BCM Womens Health. 11:452011. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI
69.	Angwafo FF III, Zaher A, Befidi-Mengue R, Wonkam A, Takougang I, Powell I and Murphy G: High-grade intra-epithelial neoplasia and prostate cancer in dibombari, Cameroon. Prostate Cancer Prostatic Dis. 6:34–38. 2003. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI
70.	Sow M, Nkégoum B, Oyono JL, Garoua and Nzokou A: Epidemiological and histological features of urogenital tumours in Cameroon. Prog Urol. 16:36–39. 2006.(In French).
71.	WHO technical report series 863. Annex 11 guidelines for the assessment of herbal medicines. pp. 178–183. 1996
72.	The international network for cancer treatment and research (INCTR): http://www.inctr.org/. Accessed June 23, 2012.
73.	International agency for research on cancer (IARC) world health organization: Globocam 2008 section of cancer information. https://www.iarc.fr. Accessed May 10, 2012.