Cancer remains one of the leading global causes of mortality, with an estimated increase in cases due to lifestyle, environmental, and genetic factors. Despite advancements in treatment, cancer's complexity and the side effects of conventional therapies necessitate alternative approaches. Medicinal plants, long valued for their therapeutic properties, have shown promise in cancer treatment, attributed to their natural phytoconstituents. This review focuses on the anticancer mechanisms of specific medicinal plants and discusses their potential for future therapeutic development.
Anticancer Mechanisms of Selected Medicinal Plants
Medicinal plants exert anticancer effects through multiple pathways, including cell cycle arrest, apoptosis induction, and disruption of signaling cascades. The mechanisms employed by each plant’s bioactive compounds are varied:
Current Development and Future Perspectives
The potential of medicinal plants in cancer therapy is growing, with current research focusing on isolating active phytoconstituents, understanding their mechanisms, and developing drug delivery systems. However, challenges include variability in phytoconstituent concentration due to environmental factors and potential toxicity from heavy metal contamination. Collaborative efforts among researchers, clinicians, and industry stakeholders are essential to integrate medicinal plants into mainstream cancer therapy.
Limitations
While medicinal plants offer promising alternatives, some limitations persist. Variability in plant composition and concerns over environmental contamination highlight the need for rigorous standardization in phytoconstituent extraction and testing.
In conclusion, medicinal plants with anticancer properties hold significant promise as alternatives or adjuncts to conventional therapies, particularly in their ability to target specific cellular pathways and reduce treatment side effects.
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https://www.xiahepublishing.com/2996-3427/OnA-2024-00012
The study was recently published in the Oncology Advances .
Oncology Advances is dedicated to improving the diagnosis and treatment of human malignancies, advancing the understanding of molecular mechanisms underlying oncogenesis, and promoting translation from bench to bedside of oncological sciences. The aim of Oncology Advances is to publish peer-reviewed, high-quality articles in all aspects of translational and clinical studies on human cancers, as well as cutting-edge preclinical and clinical research of novel cancer therapies.
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Oncology Advances
Exploring the Systematic Anticancer Mechanism in Selected Medicinal Plants: A Review
25-Sep-2024