A review on the pathogenesis of cutaneous non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) and selected herbs as chemoprotective agents

Abstract

The high incidence of NMSC (non-melanoma skin cancer) and the side effects of the available treatments disrupt the quality of life in more than one way. Particularly in the later stages, pain management and palliative care is the sole mean of alleviating the agony, all this warrants the need for alternative strategies with enhanced efficacy, better tolerance, and wide safety margins. Therefore, herbs in NMSC prevention and intervention are engaging due to their accessibility, efficacy, cost-effectiveness, and tolerated nature. Various components in the crude extracts follow 'Pharmacodynamic synergy', augment the beneficial effects of the active constituents, and reduce the likelihood of drug resistance. The extracts/active constituents of Azadirachta indica, Catharanthus roseus, Ocimum sanctum, Phyllanthus emblica, Santalum album, Tinospora cordifolia, and Withania somnifera demonstrated the anti-cancerous effect on distinct cancerous cells and animal models. Nonetheless, there is a lack of in vivo investigations validating its chemopreventive efficacy in experimental models of skin carcinogenesis. Therefore, the current review suggests the scientific community emphasize the extensive research on these herbs to obtain an efficacious drug as well as the people around the globe incorporate these herbs in their daily dietary habits/meals to obtain maximum benefit from these herbs.