Review of Anti-cancer Activity of Metals and Minerals

Introduction: Cancer has been considered as the second leading cause of death worldwide. The current interventions employed to combat the disease includes chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery and immunotherapy. Though these therapies are considered for treating the dreadful disease, they does not promise perfect cure and also have devastating effect on the quality of life of cancer survivors. Nano-technology is an emerging science having a promising role in treating a number of diseases including cancer. Various works has been done by different scholars in the field of nanotechnology and its role in cancer using varied techniques and procedures. In Ayurveda, the Herbo-metallic or Herbo-mineral compound formulations, Bhasmas, can be considered as biologically produced nanoparticles. Method: In this present paper a review has been done to collate the evidences related to anti-cancer activity of nanoparticles of various metals and minerals along with it, an effort has been made to recapitulate all the Arbudaharayogas (anticancer drugs) mentioned in the Classical textbook of Rasayoga Sagar. Result and Conclusion: Ayurvedic Bhasmas can play a strong role in the emerging era of nano-medicine and can serve as an excellent tool for the development of nano-medicine, to be an efficient therapeutic cure in dreadful disease like cancer. There is a lack of clinical trials and publications by the practising physicians, which is a matter of great concern.