Cancer treatment in the Arab-Islamic medicine: Integration of tradition with modern experimental trails

תקציר

Cancer is a cohort of disorders that involves transformation, dysregulation of
apoptosis, uncontrolled cell proliferation, invasion, angiogenesis and metastasis.
Extensive research during the last five decades has revealed much about the biology
of cancer. Drugs used to treat most cancers are those that can block cell cycle, cell
signaling, including growth factor signaling; inflammation, angiogenesis and others.
Strikingly, herbal plant extracts and based drug, including those attributed to the
Islamic civilization were reported to mediate their effects by modulating several of
these recently identified therapeutic pathways. Ibn Sina (Avicenna) and al Razi
(Rhazes) described most types of cancers known at their time and suggested several
treatments based on their believe that cancer is a result of excess of burned black
bile in the affected tissue. Therefore, they recommended evacuation of the organ
from black bile by excessive vomiting and laxatives and using cold medications and
food. The Andalusian scholar Alzahrawi was the first to conduct classic removal of
breast cancer and to invent more than 200 surgical equipments. He recognized that
cancer can be treated surgically only in its early stages when complete removal is
possible. The focus of this review is to elucidate the Arab-Islamic anticancer
therapies suggested by the most famous Arab and Muslim scholars notably,
Avicenna (980-1037), Rhazes (965-1015), Al Zahrawi (936-1013) and Ibn al Nafis
(1218-1288). Furthermore, cancer classification, causes, pathogenesis and
prevention; surgical removal of tumors; herbal remedies; dietary modifications; and
spiritual treatments are also highlighted.