Abstract

CLINICAL ROLE OF PHYTOCONSTITUENTS IN CANCER THERAPY: A REVIEW OF THEIR THERAPEUTIC POTENTIAL AND MECHANISMS

Soniya A., Naga Anusha T. A. and Basavaraj B. V.*

Abstract

Cancer remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide, despite advancements in conventional therapies such as chemotherapy, radiation, and immunotherapy. These therapies frequently have serious adverse effects and limited effectiveness. Bioactive substances originating from plants, known as phytoconstituents, have attracted interest recently as possible cancer treatment agents. The function of several phytoconstituents, such as lignans, phenolic acids, terpenoids, alkaloids, and flavonoids, in modifying cancer-related pathways is examined in this review. These substances have shown a variety of anticancer actions, such as antioxidant qualities, tumour growth inhibition, apoptosis induction, and regulation of important signalling pathways such as the PI3K/Akt, MAPK, and NF-κB pathways. Additionally covered are the ways in which phytoconstituents produce their anticancer effects, including cell cycle arrest, increased chemotherapeutic effectiveness, and tumour microenvironment modification. Additionally, the limitations and possible difficulties in converting these molecules into clinical treatments are discussed. In order to improve patient outcomes and reduce side effects, this review emphasizes the potential of phytoconstituents as supplemental medicines in the treatment of cancer.

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