Anticancer and anti-inflammatory potential of some important medicinal plants of Kashmir valley, India

Abstract

Cancer is second leading disease after heart related disease which causes death and is marked by uncontrolled growth and proliferation of cells. There are round about 100 types of cancers, each classified by type of cells they initially affect. Vast number of the plants from valley are claimed to possess the anticancer, anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties and are used extensively by the people not only for inflammation but as analgesic, antispasmodics and antimicrobials etc. Medicinal plants are playing a major role to cure many diseases related with the inflammation. As we know prolonged inflammation can also be a cause for development of cancer. When vascular tissues show systematic response it is known as inflammation. Therefore, the researchers today are emphasizing on various plant constituents their evaluation and characterisation that have a role to play against many diseases. In this current review, an endeavour has been created to give a list of some important medicinal plants that are found in Kashmir valley having anticancer as well as anti-inflammatory properties.