Plant derived substances with anti-cancer activity: from folklore to practice

Abstract

Plants have had an essential role in the folklore of ancient cultures. In addition to the use as food and spices, plants have also been utilized as medicines for over 5000 years. It is estimated that 70–95% of the population in developing countries continues to use traditional medicines even today. A new trend, that involved the isolation of plant active compounds begun during the early nineteenth century. This trend led to the discovery of different active compounds that are derived from plants. In the last decades, more and more new materials derived from plants have been authorized and subscribed as medicines, including those with anti-cancer activity. Cancer is among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The number of new cases is expected to rise by about 70% over the next two decades. Thus, there is a real need for new efficient anti-cancer drugs with reduced side effects, and plants are a promising source for such entities. Here we focus on some plant-derived substances exhibiting anti-cancer and chemoprevention activity, their mode of action and bioavailability. These include paclitaxel, curcumin, and cannabinoids. In addition, development and use of their synthetic analogs, and those of strigolactones, are discussed. Also discussed are commercial considerations and future prospects for development of plant derived substances with anti-cancer activity.

Cytotoxic analysis and chemical characterization of fractions of the hydroalcoholic extract of the Euterpe oleracea Mart. seed in the MCF-7 cell line

“…Natural products are an alternative resource widely accepted because of the diversity regarding the structure and the biological mechanism of action, their compounds being widely used in cancer therapy . Several plant‐derived compounds with anticancer properties have been described.…”

Transforming Cancer Epigenetics Using Nutritive Approaches and Noncoding RNAs

“…Curcumin, an ingredient found in the spice turmeric, has been suggested to have antiproliferative, anticancer, proapoptotic, and antioxidant properties in cancer [61]. It is currently being studied for use in many different cancers targeting tumor cells and the tumor microenvironment which is very important in the prevention and treatment of the disease.…”

Phytochemical and Antioxidant Activities of Selected Ornamental Plants in the Philippines

“…The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that one-third of the world's population has no access to medical care, relying primarily on the use of traditional remedies [2]. It was also reported that 70-95% of the world's total population still depends on traditional medicines for their primary health care needs [3,4].They are important sources of diverse bioactive and therapeutic compounds. Natural products represent about fifty percent of all clinically used drugs [5].…”