Compositions of botanical extracts for cancer therapy

Abstract

Methods and compositions for prevention and therapy of cancer are provided. Compositions comprising therapeutically effective amounts of two or more of an extract of Ganoderma lucidum , an extract of Salvia miltiorrhiza and an extract of Scutellaria barbata and optionally a therapeutically effective amount of an extract of Hippophae rhamnoides are provided. Novel synergistic effects of the use of these compounds in combination therapy are disclosed. Embodiments further comprising therapeutically effective amounts of at least one chemotherapeutic agent are also provided.

1 - 53 . (canceled) 
     
     
         54 . An anticancer composition comprising two or more of an organic extract of  Ganoderma lucidum , an organic extract of  Salvia miltiorrhiza  and an organic extract of  Scutellaria barbata , wherein each extract comprises a therapeutically effective amount. 
     
     
         55 . The composition of  claim 54 , wherein the composition comprises about 10 to about 50 percent by weight of the composition the extract of  Ganoderma lucidum  and/or about 10 to about 50 percent by weight of the composition the extract of  Scutellaria barbata.    
     
     
         56 . The composition of  claim 54 , wherein the organic extract of  Ganoderma lucidum, Salvia miltiorrhiza , or  Scutellaria barbata  is an ethyl acetate extract, an alcohol extract, a methylene chloride extract, or a methanol extract. 
     
     
         57 . The composition of  claim 54 , wherein the composition displays at least one property selected from the group consisting of: anti-inflammatory activity, immunoboosting activity, inducing lymphocytes to release TNF-alpha, and accelerating cell proliferation. 
     
     
         58 . The composition of  claim 54 , wherein the composition selectively inhibits COX-2 over COX-1. 
     
     
         59 . The composition of  claim 54  further comprising an extract of  Hippophae rhamnoides.    
     
     
         60 . The composition of  claim 54  further comprising a therapeutically effective amount of at least one chemotherapeutic agent. 
     
     
         61 . The composition of  claim 60 , wherein the chemotherapeutic agent perturbs microtubule polymerization. 
     
     
         62 . The composition of  claim 61 , wherein the chemotherapeutic agent is selected from the group consisting of paclitaxel, docetaxel, etoposide, vincristine, vinblastine, and vinorelbine. 
     
     
         63 . The composition of  claim 60 , wherein the chemotherapeutic agent is selected from the group consisting of cyclophosphamide, 4-hydroperoxycyclophosphamide, thiotepa, taxol, doxorubicin, daunorubicin and neocarzinostain. 
     
     
         64 . The composition of  claim 60 , wherein the chemotherapeutic agent is selected from the group consisting of gemcitabine and methotrexate. 
     
     
         65 . A composition comprising two or more of an organic extract of  Ganoderma lucidum , an organic extract of  Salvia miltiorrhiza  and an organic extract of  Scutellaria barbata , wherein the composition comprises each extract in an effective amount for the composition to have synergistic effect in inhibiting COX2. 
     
     
         66 . The composition of  claim 65 , wherein the composition comprises about 10 to about 50 percent by weight of the composition the extract of  Ganoderma lucidum  and/or about 10 to about 50 percent by weight of the composition the extract of  Scutellaria barbata.    
     
     
         67 . The composition of  claim 65 , wherein the organic extract of  Ganoderma lucidum, Salvia miltiorrhiza , or  Scutellaria barbata  is an ethyl acetate extract, an alcohol extract, a methylene chloride extract, or a methanol extract. 
     
     
         68 . The composition of  claim 65 , wherein the composition displays at least one property selected from the group consisting of: anti-inflammatory activity, immunoboosting activity, inducing lymphocytes to release TNF-alpha, and accelerating cell proliferation. 
     
     
         69 . The composition of  claim 65 , wherein the composition selectively inhibits COX-2 over COX-1. 
     
     
         70 . The composition of  claim 65  further comprising an extract of  Hippophae rhamnoides.    
     
     
         71 . The composition of  claim 65  further comprising a therapeutically effective amount of at least one chemotherapeutic agent. 
     
     
         72 . The composition of  claim 71 , wherein the chemotherapeutic agent is selected from the group consisting of gemcitabine, methotrexate, paclitaxel, docetaxel, etoposide, vincristine, vinblastine, vinorelbine, cyclophosphamide, 4-hydroperoxycyclophosphamide, thiotepa, taxol, doxorubicin, daunorubicin and neocarzinostain.