Abstract
Cancer is one of the greatest life-threatening diseases conventionally treated using chemo- and radio-therapy. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a promising approach to eradicate different types of cancers. PDT requires the administration of photosensitisers (PSs) and photoactivation using a specific wavelength of light in the presence of molecular oxygen. This photoactivation exerts an anticancer effect via apoptosis, necrosis, and autophagy of cancer cells. Recently, various natural compounds that exhibit photosensitising potentials have been identified. Photoactive substances derived from medicinal plants have been found to be safe in comparison with synthetic compounds. Many articles have focused on PDT mechanisms and types of PSs, but limited attention has been paid to the phototoxic activities of phytocompounds. The reduced toxicity and side effects of natural compounds inspire the researchers to identify and use plant extracts or phytocompounds as a potent natural PS candidate for PDT. This review focusses on the importance of common photoactive groups (furanocoumarins, polyacetylenes, thiophenes, curcumins, alkaloids, and anthraquinones), their phototoxic effects, anticancer activity and use as a potent PS for an effective PDT outcome in the treatment of various cancers.
Highlights
Cancer is one of the deadliest diseases reported in developed as well as developing countries [1].It is mainly characterised by the uncontrolled cell growth and development of normal cells due to genetic alterations or exposure to the carcinogenic substances
Many phototoxic substances were subsequently reported in various plant species that are efficient as of conventional PSs [31]. These studies recommend that natural compounds with photosensitising abilities can be isolated from plants and used as alternatives for conventional PSs used in Photodynamic therapy (PDT)
This review mainly focused on the anticancer activity of furanocoumarins, polyacetylenes, thiophenes, curcumins, alkaloids and anthraquinones in relation to the light-absorbing properties
Summary
Cancer is one of the deadliest diseases reported in developed as well as developing countries [1]. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a promising minimally invasive therapy for the treatment of cancer This involves the administration of photosensitiser (PS) and subsequent excitation of PS by light irradiation at a specific wavelength. Molecules 2020, 25, 4102 produces reactive oxygen species (ROS) This reaction results in oxidising the cellular macromolecules surrounding tumour cells [5]. The combination therapy has more of a tendency to reduce the side effects when compared to monotherapy regimes and can significantly lower cancer cell proliferation by improving the drug uptake [17]. Many phototoxic substances were subsequently reported in various plant species that are efficient as of conventional PSs [31] These studies recommend that natural compounds with photosensitising abilities can be isolated from plants and used as alternatives for conventional PSs used in PDT. This review mainly focused on the anticancer activity of furanocoumarins, polyacetylenes, thiophenes, curcumins, alkaloids and anthraquinones in relation to the light-absorbing properties
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