The implication of a novel herbal formulation in reversal of drug-resistance for cancer treatment

Traditional medicines or herbal medicinal compounds are being increasingly considered as useful complementary and alternative treatments for cancer. A large number of in vitro and in vivo studies have reported the beneficial effects of herbal medicines alone and in combination with conventional therapeutics. We developed a polyherbal formulation Swastharakshak^® (SR033), exhibiting anti-tumorigenic property. Although, majorly 5-Fluorouracil (5FU) resulted in necrosis of HeLa cells, however in combination with SR033, the majority of cells underwent apoptosis with an increase of 30%, SR033 alone was considered as an experimental control. Moreover, 5FU and PTX resistance were reversed by SR033 with 2.5×10³and 0.17×10³ fold, respectively, in resistant HeLa-R cells. We observed a 2 fold decrease in free radicals when treated with SR033 as compared to untreated controls; however, 1.2 fold decrease was observed in SR033 + 5FU groups in comparison to 5FU alone. These results demonstrated that SR033 acts synergistically with 5FU, along with chemo-protective and 5FU resistance reversal property. Hence, SR033 is a potential herbal formulation that could be used effectively with 5FU as a combination therapy for cancer.