An update on antitumor activity of Angelica species

Genus Angelica (Family: Apiaceae) comprises more than 60 species of medicinal plants. Many of these species have long been used in ancient traditional medicine systems, especially in the Eastern countries. For many years, several species of Angelica, e.g., A. archangelica, A. dahurica, A. keiskei, A. gigas, A. pubescens, A. sinensis, A. shikokiana have been used traditionally as anti-inflammatory, diuretic, expectorant, and diaphoretic. Also, these have been used as remedies for hepatitis, arthritis, indigestion, coughs, chronic bronchitis, pleurisy, fever, rheumatism, bacterial and fungal infections, and diseases of the urinary organs. Several classes of compounds such as coumarins, acetylenic compounds, chalcones, sesquiterpenes, and polysaccharides have been reported from these plants. This chapter outlines the results of various scientific studies on Angelica species that were reported to have anticancer and antitumor activities.