Author(s): Hasan NM, Al Sorkhy M K

Abstract: Plants, herbs, and ethnobotanicals have been in use since the early days of mankind and are still used throughout the world for health promotion and treatment of disease. Around 75% of world population especially in the underdeveloped world and developing countries relies on natural pharmaceuticals for primary health care. However, in the last few years there has been a major increase in their use in the developed countries. In Germany, France and UK, many herbs and herbal extracts are used as prescription drugs. Herbal treatments are the most popular form of traditional medicine, and are highly lucrative in the international marketplace. Many herbs are active against neoplastic diseases by inhibiting cell growth and proliferation. They are also used to treat diseases that result from decline of stem cell proliferation and utilized for regeneration and rehabilitation of tissues by promoting cell proliferation. The aim of this paper is to review plants/herbs that have been shown to cause an increase in cell growth/proliferation and to discuss if there is a peril of an unwanted stimulation of cell proliferation.