Anti-cancer Effect in Volatile Components of Hiba Essential Oil (Thujopsis dolabrata)

Cancer is the leading cause of death in Japan, and it is well known that the one in two people will develop cancer . Cancer therapies include surgical procedures, anticancer agents, molecular-targeted agents, and radiation therapy. The advancement of individual therapies and bringing in themultimodal therapy, i.e., effective combination of multiple therapies, have improved the outcome of cancer therapy and reduced the mortality from cancer. However, these therapies often cause severe adverse reactions, and this may prevent the completion of the treatment in some patients. And despite good initial responses, drug resistance and disease recurrence remain major issues for cancer treatments. Under these circumstances, safer and more effective new strategies are desired.

In traditional therapies such as traditional Japanese medicine (Kampo medicine), natural preparations are reported about theireffectiveness for cancer treatment. Combination therapy using anticancer drugs and Kampo preparation is revealed to improve therapeutic outcomes.