MEDICINAL PLANTS AS NATURAL SOURCES OF NOVEL ANTICANCER AGENT

Abstract

Throughout human history, botanical therapeutics has constituted the cornerstone of medical practice, establishing the fundamental principles upon which contemporary pharmaceutical science is built. The pharmacological evolution witnessed today stems directly from plant-derived compounds that demonstrate dual functionality—providing essential nutritional components and raw pharmaceutical materials while exhibiting intrinsic bioactive properties capable of combating diverse pathological conditions. Malignant neoplasms represent a critical global health challenge, ranking as the second most prevalent cause of mortality following cardiovascular pathologies. This epidemiological burden necessitates sustained research efforts directed toward innovative therapeutic modalities for both treatment and prophylaxis of oncological disorders.

A substantial proportion of chemotherapeutic agents currently employed in cancer treatment are derived from bioactive compounds originally identified in plants. The therapeutic potential of many medicinal plants is often attributed to their antioxidant constituents, which play a critical role in counteracting carcinogenic processes. Compared with modern synthetic drugs, these botanicals are generally more accessible, cost-effective, and associated with lower toxicity. Advances in molecular biology and analytical technologies have greatly facilitated the identification and characterization of plants with anticancer potential. Increasingly, researchers worldwide are investigating the role of medicinal herbs in enhancing host immunity and modulating biological pathways relevant to tumor suppression. Such plants exhibit diverse pharmacological activities, including antioxidant, antimutagenic, anti-angiogenic, immunomodulatory, and direct anticancer effects. They may exert their influence by regulating hormonal balance and interfering with tumor growth and progression. This review highlights selected medicinal plants with documented anticancer properties, along with specific phytochemicals that demonstrate antitumor effects, emphasizing their potential as affordable and safer alternatives or adjuncts in cancer therapy.

Keywords: Cancer, antioxidants, medicinal plants, natural anticancer agents, phytoconstituents, apoptosis, antiangiogenesis, and polyphenolic compounds.