Synthetic Compounds vs. Phytochemicals for the Treatment of Human Cutaneous Malignant Melanoma
Namrita Lall in Medicinal Plants for Cosmetics, Health and Diseases, 2022
The treatment of cancer largely relies on the use of synthetic drugs that are administered in chemotherapy and targeted therapies. These synthetic drugs elicit adverse effects that may threaten the overall survival of patients. The use of phytochemicals derived from medicinal plants has been justified through pre-clinical studies that validate the efficacy of these phytochemicals for the treatment of cancer (Choudhari et al., 2020). The FDA has approved certain phytochemicals for the treatment of cancer, and 49% of the small molecule drugs approved between 1940 and 2014 for the treatment of cancer were natural products or derived from natural products (Newman and Cragg, 2016). Table 9.4 outlines the phytochemicals derived from medicinal plants approved by the FDA for the treatment of cancer. The chemical structures of phytochemicals derived from medicinal plants approved by the FDA for the treatment of cancer are displayed in Figure 9.1.
Exploring Important Herbs, Shrubs, and Trees for Their Traditional Knowledge, Chemical Derivatives, and Potential Benefits
Azamal Husen in Herbs, Shrubs, and Trees of Potential Medicinal Benefits, 2022
More than 80% of the rural population worldwide, especially in developing countries, depends on traditional medicines for primary health care (WHO, 2013). Medicinal plants can synthesize thousands of diverse phytochemicals or natural products or bioactive constituents, including alkaloids, terpenoids, and phenolics. Phytochemicals are chemical compounds that occur naturally in medicinal and food plants. Plant bioactive compounds or phytochemicals play essential roles in plant survival and provide various valuable natural products (bioactive compounds) to protect themselves against pathogenic attacks and environmental stresses. Phytochemicals are also important ingredients that contribute to plant color, aroma, and flavor (Kumari et al., 2021). The amount of these phytochemicals depends on the types of plants and the climatic growing conditions or geographical variations.
Food Interactions, Sirtuins, Genes, Homeostasis, and General Discussion
Chuong Pham-Huy, Bruno Pham Huy in Food and Lifestyle in Health and Disease, 2022
Suppression mechanisms of tumor cells include growth inhibition by induction of cell cycle arrest or apoptosis. Fucoidan, a natural polysaccharide of brown seaweeds, has anti-cancer activity against various cancer types by targeting key apoptotic molecules. It can protect against toxicity associated with chemotherapeutic agents and radiation. Thus, the synergistic effect of fucoidan with current anti-cancer agents is of great interest (5). A significant number of flavonoids, alone and in combination, have been shown to induce suppression of tumor cells. Tricin, a novel flavonol in rice bran, was shown to inhibit the growth of breast tumor cells or to decrease the number of intestinal adenomas in mice (4). Many studies have reported that phytochemicals in common fruit and vegetables can have complementary and overlapping mechanisms of action, including modulation of detoxification enzymes, scavenging of free radicals, stimulation of the immune system, regulation of gene expression in cell proliferation and apoptosis, and inhibition of angiogenesis, invasion, and metastasis (2–4). More recently, evidence is emerging that specific combination of phytochemicals may be far more effective in protecting against cancer than isolated compounds. Moreover, drug-phytochemical interactions have also been observed, indicating possibilities for improved cancer therapeutic strategies (4).
Formulation, biopharmaceutical evaluation and in-vitro screening of polyherbal phytosomes for breast cancer therapy
Published in Drug Development and Industrial Pharmacy, 2022
Lalitha K. Govindaram, Mohammed Al Bratty, Hassan A. Alhazmi, Ruckmani Kandasamy, Neelaveni Thangavel, Angum M. Ibrahim, Gover Antoniraj Mariya, Ponnuchamy Kumar
Several studies have reported the chemo-preventive potency of dietary phytochemicals. Curcuma longa (C. longa), Matricaria chamomilla (M. chamomilla), and Withania somnifera (W. somnifera) are used for traditional medicine in Saudi Arabia and globally for the treatment of various diseases and are shown to possess utility in the breast cancer treatment by inducing apoptosis in MCF-7 cell lines [8–10]. Clinical trials on the active constituents of C. longa were reported to possess no adverse side effects even at higher doses (on the oral route, 3.6–8 g/day over 4 months) [11]. Apigenin and apigenin 7-O-glucoside are the commonly detected flavonoids in aqueous/methanolic extracts of chamomile and apigenin has no cytotoxic effect on normal cells [12–14]. Ashwagandha has been proven as nontoxic and safe upon toxicological evaluation [15]. Apigenin and curcumin show the synergistic anticancer effect by acting at altered sites of tubulin [16]. The ability of withanolides to inhibit heat protein which in turn causes the death of breast cancer cells [10] is also described.
Naringin prevents the reduction of the number of neurons and the volume of CA1 in a scopolamine-induced animal model of Alzheimer’s disease (AD): a stereological study
Published in International Journal of Neuroscience, 2022
S. Mokarrami, M Jahanshahi, L Elyasi, H Badelisarkala, M Khalili
Phytochemicals are natural chemical compounds that exist in plants. phytochemicals can be classified in different categories, such as polyphenols, terpenoids, alkaloids, phytosterols and organosulfur compounds [16, 17]. Flavonoids are one of the main classes of polyphenols [18, 19]. Naringin is the most important flavonoids that isolated from citrus fruits. It also has strong anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-apoptotic and anti-carcinogenic properties [20, 21]. Recent studies have indicated that neuroinflammation is a major player in the pathology of neurodegenerative diseases [22–24]. Naringin has the ability to cross the blood–brain barrier and it has been shown to have therapeutic effects on Neurodegenerative disorders, such as Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, Epilepsy, spinal cord injury and ischemic brain injury [25].
An Overview of Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Emphasis on Dietary Products and Herbal Remedies
Published in Nutrition and Cancer, 2022
Deepa S. Mandlik, Satish K. Mandlik
Through the regulation of cell death and self-renewal development cascades, this review article provides a detailed focus on the role of dietary products such as vegetables, fruitsand spices, herbal plants and active phytoconstituentsin cancer care. Natural compounds seem to be a potential therapeutic agent in the field of anticancer study because of their minimalharmfulness, simplicity of accessibility and minimum price. By inhibitingtumour cell propagation, invasion, inflammation, metastasis, angiogenesis, mutation, and promoting apoptosis in a way consistent with inhibiting self-renewal as well as cancer cell survival mechanisms, research on many dietary products and herbal plants can help to understand the role of natural compounds in the management of cancer. In future research, however, the impact of phytochemicals on cancer development should be established. Therefore, supplementation of edible natural agents has been suggested to aid in the safe application of cancer technology in medicine, as well as in many other areas of life today.
Related Knowledge Centers
- Biological Activity
- Carotenoid
- Chemical Compound
- Polyphenol
- Traditional Medicine
- Flavonoid
- Metabolism
- Plant Virus
- Nutrient
- Health Claim