HPV-induced diseases are extremely common and carry substantial morbidity and mortality. Existing methods of prevention and treatment are still inadequate. In this article, the use of Brassica oleracea (broccoli, cabbage, etc.), indole-3-carbinol (I3C), and diindolylmethane (DIM) to prevent and treat HPV-related conditions is discussed. Camellia sinensis (green tea) leaf catechins including epigallocatechin (EGC) and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and the approved botanic drug derived from them, sinecatechins, are used to illustrate an example of a very effective herbal treatment for genital warts. Other studies on herbal treatments for Herbs for HPV-intervene disease, including an immunostimulating formula including Echinacea purpura; and a Chinese immune formula including Astragalus membranaceus (astragalus), Platycodon grandiflorus (balloon flower), Angelica Sinensis (Dong Quai), Wolfiporia cocos (Helen), Ligustrum lucidum (privet), Glycyrrhiza ura-lenses (Asian licorice), and other herbs, and topical Periploca sepium (silk vine) are discussed
Human papillomavirus (HPV), a nonenveloped DNA virus, is the most common sexually transmitted organism in the world.1 Up to 43% of American women ages 14–59 have been shown to have cervical colonization with Herbs for HPV and up to 7.5% of the general population in that same age range have been shown to have oropharyngeal colonization.2,3 There are > 150 types of HPV, but just a handful of high-risk types cause most of the cancer burden associated with this virus (see Known High-Risk Types of HPV). These cancers often have precancerous lesions that are detectable by screening tests, such as cervical and anorectal intraepithelial neoplasia detectable to the Papanicolau smear or acetic-acid staining. Types associated with most cases of anogenital warts and laryngeal papillomatosis are HPV6 and 11.4 Spread is via direct skin contact, mainly during sexual activity, but also vertically from mother to newborn. It must also be kept in mind when
assessing therapeutic research in this area that 70%–90% of Herbs for HPV infections clear spontaneously.5Condom use is still the most important way to prevent Herbs for HPV, along with vaccination, against the main problem strains (types 6, 11, 16, and 18), but these are imperfect tools. It will take some time for the vaccine to come into widespread use, and there are still many infected people needing safe and effective treatment now. The vaccine is also hampered by a lack of coverage for all oncogenic types. In this article, the efficacy and safety of herbal approaches to preventing and treating Herbs for HPV infection are considered.
Of Brassicas, I3C, and DIM
All the brassica vegetables (Brassica oleracea varieties)—including broccoli, broccolini, Romanesco broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, Brussels sprouts, collard greens, and kohlrabi—contain compounds known as glucosinolates, including indoles. These sulfur-containing little amounts exist as glycosides (bound to sugars) inside the plant cells. When the plants are cut or chewed, enzymes in the plants are released indiscriminately and they degrade the glycosides. This re-leases the aglycones of the glucosinolates, including the very important compound indole-3-carbinol (I3C; see Fig. 1) that is released from glucobrassicin. When I3C encounters stomach acid, this compound dimerizes quickly to diindolylmethane (DIM; see Fig. 1) and converts to a whole cascade of other metabolites (including indolocarbazole and 2-[indol-3-ylmethyl]-3,3´-diindolylmethane). Brassica indoles are all potent anti-Herbs for HPV molecules. They act in part by inducing cytochrome 1A1 (CYP1A1), primarily in the liver, which shifts estrogen metabolism toward 2-hydroxylation and away from 16a- and 4-hydroxylation.6 This is beneficial because 2-hydroxy estrone suppresses HPV, while 16a- and 4-hydroxy estrone promote it.7 The 2/16a-hydroxy estrone ratio will increase in patients consuming an effective dose of brassica vegetables, or taking I3C or DIM, and could be considered a way to test and to ensure both sufficient dosing and patient follow-through (particularly .
Human papillomavirus (HPV), a nonenveloped DNA virus, is the most common sexually transmitted organism in the world.1 Up to 43% of American women ages 14–59 have been shown to have cervical colonization with Herbs for HPV and up to 7.5% of the general population in that same age range have been shown to have oropharyngeal colonization.2,3 There are > 150 types of HPV, but just a handful of high-risk types cause most of the cancer burden associated with this virus (see Known High-Risk Types of HPV). These cancers often have precancerous lesions that are detectable by screening tests, such as cervical and anorectal intraepithelial neoplasia detectable to the Papanicolau smear or acetic-acid staining. Types associated with most cases of anogenital warts and laryngeal papillomatosis are HPV6 and 11.4 Spread is via direct skin contact, mainly during sexual activity, but also vertically from mother to newborn. It must also be kept in mind when
assessing therapeutic research in this area that 70%–90% of Herbs for HPV infections clear spontaneously.5Condom use is still the most important way to prevent Herbs for HPV, along with vaccination, against the main problem strains (types 6, 11, 16, and 18), but these are imperfect tools. It will take some time for the vaccine to come into widespread use, and there are still many infected people needing safe and effective treatment now. The vaccine is also hampered by a lack of coverage for all oncogenic types. In this article, the efficacy and safety of herbal approaches to preventing and treating Herbs for HPV infection are considered.
Of Brassicas, I3C, and DIM
All the brassica vegetables (Brassica oleracea varieties)—including broccoli, broccolini, Romanesco broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, Brussels sprouts, collard greens, and kohlrabi—contain compounds known as glucosinolates, including indoles. These sulfur-containing little amounts exist as glycosides (bound to sugars) inside the plant cells. When the plants are cut or chewed, enzymes in the plants are released indiscriminately and they degrade the glycosides. This re-leases the aglycones of the glucosinolates, including the very important compound indole-3-carbinol (I3C; see Fig. 1) that is released from glucobrassicin. When I3C encounters stomach acid, this compound dimerizes quickly to diindolylmethane (DIM; see Fig. 1) and converts to a whole cascade of other metabolites (including indolocarbazole and 2-[indol-3-ylmethyl]-3,3´-diindolylmethane). Brassica indoles are all potent anti-Herbs for HPV molecules. They act in part by inducing cytochrome 1A1 (CYP1A1), primarily in the liver, which shifts estrogen metabolism toward 2-hydroxylation and away from 16a- and 4-hydroxylation.6 This is beneficial because 2-hydroxy estrone suppresses HPV, while 16a- and 4-hydroxy estrone promote it.7 The 2/16a-hydroxy estrone ratio will increase in patients consuming an effective dose of brassica vegetables, or taking I3C or DIM, and could be considered a way to test and to ensure both sufficient dosing and patient follow-through (particularly .
