Endorphins – A Novel Holistic Therapeutic Approach to Cancer

Abstract

Endorphins are endogenous morphine, neuropeptides produced from pituitary gland in response to stress and pain. These are of three types- beta-endorphins, dynorphins, enkephalins, binds to mu, kappa, delta receptors found on immune cells and nervous system. Beta-endorphins is the most abundant endorphin synthesized and stored in the anterior pituitary gland. It has got various activities such as Immune stimulatory activity, anti-inflammatory activity, analgesic activity, stress buster, and anti-aging activity. Immune stimulatory activity by activation of NK cells, macrophages, T-lymphocytes, anti-inflammatory activity by production of cytokines, such as IL-18, 1L-10, analgesic activity by inhibiting substance-p, anti-ageing by suppressing ROS, RNS, free radicals and lengthening telomeres, stress buster activity by decreasing cortisol and nor-adrenaline, dopamine release involved in holistic, preventive, promotive, therapeutic and palliative treatment of cancer without any adverse affects and inexpensive. This article brief’s about the current concept of novel actions of endorphins in holistic treatment of cancer .