Abstract
In developing and developed countries, cancer is a significant health problem in people. Cancer becomes the second greatest cause of death in human after cardiovascular disease. However, significant advancements in modern cancer therapies have a beneficial impact on survival, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Plants fulfill our basic needs to continue life and provide natural products that help to cure disease. The medicinal plants are readily available and have no toxicity as compared to modern drugs. Phytochemicals act on metabolic pathways and inhibit tumor growth, the development of cancerous cells, and replication by different mechanisms. Apigenin's chemo-preventive and anticancer activities have been demonstrating in numerous studies. Curcumin is a polyphenolic compound isolated from the Curcuma longa plant. EGCG, a polyphenol in black, white, and green tea is a chemo-preventive effect against many cancers by targeting multiple pathways. Normal cell growth and cell proliferation are closely regulated processes. The JAK-STAT (Janus kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription) pathway controls gene expression during different processes, including proliferation, initiation, and apoptosis. The transcription factors are associated with the growth of cancer cells and control a cellular function in the disease. Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) is a class of serine and threonine kinase that includes ERK (extracellular regulated kinase), JNK (c-Jun N-terminal kinases), and p38. This review paper describes natural phytochemical compounds, their molecular targets and mechanisms of action.
Highlights
Hippocrates, a Greek physician, was the first to name cancer, combining the Greek words "carcinoma" and "cancer." The term "karakinos" is used for a tumor
Phytochemicals are active compounds isolated from various medicinal plants that have been found to have chemotherapeutic effects on cancer cell lines
Phytochemicals act on metabolic pathways and inhibit tumor growth, cancer cell development, and replication through various mechanisms [6]
Summary
Hippocrates, a Greek physician, was the first to name cancer, combining the Greek words "carcinoma" and "cancer." The term "karakinos" is used for a tumor. Phytochemicals are active compounds isolated from various medicinal plants that have been found to have chemotherapeutic effects on cancer cell lines. Phytochemicals act on metabolic pathways and inhibit tumor growth, cancer cell development, and replication through various mechanisms [6]. The ERK/AP-1/COX-2 pathway was inhibited by apigenin, which inhibited COX-2 activity in PMA-induced breast cancer cells.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
