Ashwagandha for cancer metastasis: Bioactives and basics of their function

Abstract

Cancer metastasis is an extremely complex multistep process that is regulated by multiple module interactions of genetic, environmental factors. It leads to movement of cancer cells from the primary tumor site to distant sites in the body through blood or lymph circulation. Tightly regulated by migratory, invasive characteristics of the tumor cells as well as micro-environment, it poses major hurdles to the cancer therapy. In this chapter, we sketch a simple picture of ayurvedic description of cancer and metastasis, provide a review on the metastatic targets and discuss findings on Ashwagandha bioactives for therapy of metastatic cancers.