Man Hee Rhee graduated in Veterinary Medicine in 1989, completed his PhD degree in 2000 in Neurobiology Department, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel. He is the chairman of Department of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University. He has published more than 250 papers in reputed journals and has been serving as an editorial board member of internationally renowned Journal.

The potential benefits of ginseng range from energizing the body to providing the longevity. Ginsenoside Rg3 (Rg3), one of the most effective ginseng saponins, has anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer effects. Numerous previous studies have unraveled the Rg3 Pharmacological effects. One recent study has also revealed its protective cardiovascular effects in hyper sensitive rats. Here we investigated the anti-inflammatory activity of Rg3 in vitro on murine macrophages RAW 264.7 cells. We found that Rg3 in dose dependent manner attenuate the expression of proinflammatory cytokines after LPS induction. The MTT assay for dose dependent concentrations of Rg3 show no cytotoxicity and Nitric oxide concentration show a decreasing trend with increase in dose. The mRNA expression of proinflammatory cytokines like IL-1β, IL-6, iNOS, COX-2 and TNF-α show the same trend like that of Nitric oxide production. The protein expression shown by Rg3-RGE clearly indicates that it signal transduces via MAPK and NF-κB pathways. More investigation into signal mediation revealed that Rg3-RGE mediates its antiinflammatory action via RXRα receptors. Moreover the our invivo data shows that Rg3-RGE very strongly protected the mice against LPS induced septic shock.

Dr Vineet Talwar is presently working as Co-Director, Dept of Medical Oncology at RGCIRC. He has been serving in the Department of Medical Oncology since May 2002 He had completed his DM (Medical Oncology) from prestigious Adyar cancer institute, Chennai in March 2000.He has over 40 publications in his credit in various national and international journals, peer reviewed journals. He is member of the European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO), American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), Indian Cooperative Oncology Network (ICON), Indian Society Of Oncology (ISO) to name few. He has been awarded three orations from The Association Physician of India, Indian Academy of Clinical Medicine. He was awarded the prestigious 'Chikitsa Ratan Award' by the Delhi State Medical Association for his efforts in field of cancer. He is a Fellow of Royal College of Physicans Edinburgh (FRCP) and also credited as a Fellow of International Medical Sciences Academy (FIMSA).

Fatigue is one of the most disabling phenomenon among patients receiving anti cancer treatment, which has profound effect on their Quality of Life (QOL). Although clinicians across the globe acknowledge the importance of regular assessment of fatigue, however it is seldom being assessed and documented in clinical practice in India and therefore remains unidentified parameter among oncology practice in this country, also very few studies in the literature exist reporting on Cancer-Related Fatigue (CRF) among Indian population. Objective: The main objective of this study is to find out the prevalence and severity of cancer related fatigue (CRF) and its implication on psychosocial wellbeing among Indian cancer patients. Methodology: For this study an exploratory design was adopted, using a purposive sampling method, patients (N=206, M: 100 & F: 106) undergoing chemotherapy at Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Hospital and Research Center, Delhi, India; aged 18-83 years were included. The level of fatigue was assessed using 16-item Multidimensional assessment of Fatigue (MAF) scale and a semi structured in-depth interview schedule. These interviews were recorded, transcribed and analyzed. Results: Irrespective of age, and education, 81% patients experience clinically significant fatigue, of which extreme level of fatigue was reported by 29% patients requiring immediate clinical intervention and 52% patients reported moderate level of fatigue, which is also clinically significant. The level of fatigue was reported more in females than males. Top four psychosocial issues reported were; apprehension of chemotherapy side effects (23.5%), fear of pain during CT (18.5%), Loss of apatite (17.5%) and anxiety during chemo therapy (13.5%), followed by combination of multiple psycho social issues by 11 %, and financial and logistic issues by (11%). Among all the patients, (49.5%) were aware of their diagnosis, of which 8% were either fully aware or partially aware about the prognosis (23%). Conclusion: Fatigue remains one of the most important clinical parameters among majority of Indian patients receiving chemotherapy, with females reporting it more as compared to their counterparts and is neither assessed by clinicians nor reported by majority of the patients. While almost one fourth of the patients report fear of chemotherapy as their pressing psychosocial concern during CT, others report fear of pain, loss of apatite, manifest anxiety symptoms or report financial and logistic issues during CT. Indian patients should be evaluated for treatable conditions that might contribute in achieving promising clinical outcomes. Exercise, educational material and psychotherapeutic interventions should also be developed to prepare and support them during their treatment phase, which will ultimately lead to better preparedness of side effects and their management, better information of the disease, better coping strategies, reduced symptoms and better quality of life.

Man Hee Rhee has completed his graduation in Veterinary Medicine in 1989, completed his PhD degree in 2000 in Neurobiology Department, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel. He is the Chairman of the Department of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University. He has published more than 250 papers in reputed journals and has been serving as an Editorial Board Member of internationally renowned journal.

Recently, the importance of platelet activation in cancer metastasis is generally accepted and development of new platelet inhibitor with minimal adverse effect is a promising area of targeted cancer therapy. Baicalein is one of the functional ingredient derived from the root of Huangqin. Its pharmacological effects including anti-oxidative and anti-inflammative effects have already been shown. However, effect on platelet activation of this molecule is scarce. Therefore, we investigate the effects and its molecular mechanisms of baicalein on various agonists, including tumor cell, stimulated platelet activation and pulmonary cancer metastasis. Effects of baicalein on agonist-stimulated platelet activation, granule secretion and adhesion molecule expression, cyclic-nucleotide release, VASP and MAPK phosphorylation were evaluated. Indeed, influences of baicalein on platelet aggregation induced by tumor cells and adhesion of cancer cell-platelets were evaluated. Finally, after acute toxicity test, we also examined the anti-metastatic activities of baicalein using relevant in vivo metastasis models. Baicalein inhibited various agonists such as collagen, ADP, and thrombin-induced platelet activation in a concentration dependent manner. Agonist-induced granule secretion (P-selectin expression, ATP release), mobilization of intracellular [Ca2+]i and glycoprotein â…¡a/â…¢b expression were also reduced in baicalein-treated platelets. Baicalein also attenuated ERK2, p38 and Akt activation and enhanced VASP phosphorylation that was reversed by H-89 (PKA inhibitor). Moreover, baicalein attenuated C6 rat glioma tumor cells-induced platelet aggregation in vitro and CT26 colon cancer metastasis in vivo. Baicalein shows broad anti-platelet properties. This feature might have therapeutic implications for the prevention of cancer metastasis.