Potential therapeutic effects of natural products in Human Papillomavirus (HPV) related cervical cancers

Cervical cancer is one of the most common types of cancer affecting women worldwide. Infection caused by high-risk human papillomaviruses (HPVs), especially type 16 and 18 are implicated in the etiology of most cervical cancers. Although current methods of treatment for HPV infections such as, surgical excision, chemical ablation and cryotherapy can ablate lesions directly, these strategies may be accompanied by unnecessary and excessive tissue injuries. Thus, there is an urgent need for the development of newer and novel therapeutics.

Traditional medicines have long played an outstanding role as remedies for common ailments and life-threatening diseases and accounts for being the origins of a large proportion of marketed medications. Among these, the fig (Ficus carica species) latex, when traditionally applied on the HPV related skin warts, has shown potential for possible cures.

Hence, the aim of this study is to explore the in vitro biological activities of Fig latex and to elucidate its possible mechanisms of action in cervical cancer cell lines that are positive for high risk HPV types using current cell and molecular biology/pathology techniques. We are also planning to characterise the chemical constituents of fig latex and explore in vitro activity of the specific isolated chemical substances that may contribute to the exhibition of therapeutic activities.