Abstract
Herbal medicines that block bacteria or cancer cells from adhering to their target cells offer a novel therapeutic approach. These medicines can potentially help prevent and treat a range of infections or cancers. Vaccinium macrocarpon (cranberry) is the best-studied of these medicines. It has been shown to be useful both in prevention and treatment of urinary-tract infection in some patients. There is growing interest in using cranberry or its close relatives—V. angustifolium or V. corymbosum (blueberry); V. myrtillus (bilberry); and V. ovalifolium, V. ovatum, or V. parvifolium (huckleberry)—to block Helicobacter pylori and Streptococcus spp. adhesion. Camellia sinensis (tea) also has promise as an antiadhesion agent, particularly against Streptococcus mutans. Other herbs with antiadhesion effects in vitro or in animal studies include Panax ginseng (Asian ginseng), Artemisia capillaris (yin-chen wormwood), Humulus lupulus (hops), propolis, Asarum sieboldii (xi xin), Asarum canadense (wild ginger), Asarum europaeum (European wild ginger), Cladosiphon okmuranus (mozuku), Fucus vesiculosus (bladderwrack), and Fucus evanescens.
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