Roles of Natural Compounds from Medicinal Plants in Cancer Treatment: Structure and Mode of Action at Molecular Level

Abstract

Every year, cancer takes the life of millions of people. Conventional treatments have produced unsatisfactory results for some types of cancer, and the side effects are extensive, leading to a shift in the focus of treatment towards alternative medicines. Indeed, medicinal plants have long been investigated by scientists for their anti-cancer properties. Some phytochemicals that are important active constituents of plants, including catechins, ursolic acid, silymarin, glycyrrhizin, ellagic acid, gallic acid and various types of flavonoids, have shown promise in future cancer management. The current review covers various aspects of cancer treatment based on medicinal plants at molecular level and sheds light on their structures and modes of action.

Astragalin: A Bioactive Phytochemical with Potential Therapeutic Activities

“…Natural phytochemicals that are active constituents of medicinal plants, seeds, fruits, and herbs including polyphenols (flavonoids, terpenoids, and carotenoids) have gained significant recognizance for their potential value as therapeutic agents [ 146 , 147 ]. Much research work has been conducted towards the assessment of phenolic phytochemicals as potent prophylactic agents as they can act on multiple cellular targets.…”

Natural compounds may contribute in preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection: a narrative review

“…In the last decade, the number of studies published dealing with natural compounds has increased [9] , showing growing interest in different branches of medicine, from cancer [10] , [11] , [12] , [13] , auto-immune [13] , [14] , [15] to infective disease [16] , [17] .…”

Gallic acid‐gold nanoparticles enhance radiation‐induced cell death of human glioma U251 cells

“…Importantly, gallic acid exhibits selective cytotoxicity against a variety of tumor cells, including prostate, lung, colon cancer cells, as well as GBM cells. 4,5 A derivative of gallic acid, lauryl gallate, increases activities of caspases and induces cell apoptosis in U87 GBM cells. 6 Gallic acid also leads to DBTRG-05MG GBM cell death through mitochondrial apoptotic pathways, but spares normal CTX TNA2 rat astrocytes.…”

“…Gallic acid (3,4,5‐trihydroxybenzoic acid), a predominant polyphenol, has been verified to inhibit carcinogenesis in both cancer cell lines in vitro and animal models. Importantly, gallic acid exhibits selective cytotoxicity against a variety of tumor cells, including prostate, lung, colon cancer cells, as well as GBM cells 4,5 . A derivative of gallic acid, lauryl gallate, increases activities of caspases and induces cell apoptosis in U87 GBM cells 6 .…”