Natural Products for Melanoma Therapy: From Traditional Medicine to Modern Drug Discovery

Melanoma, a type of skin cancer originating from melanocytes, represents a significant public health concern according to the World Health Organization. It is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers worldwide, particularly affecting populations in Europe and North America, with an increasing inci...

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Main Authors: Soojin An, Jeongeun An, Dain Lee, Han Na Kang, Sojin Kang, Chi-Hoon Ahn, Rony Abdi Syahputra, Rosy Iara Maciel A. Ribeiro, Bonglee Kim
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Plants
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/6/951
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author Soojin An
Jeongeun An
Dain Lee
Han Na Kang
Sojin Kang
Chi-Hoon Ahn
Rony Abdi Syahputra
Rosy Iara Maciel A. Ribeiro
Bonglee Kim
author_facet Soojin An
Jeongeun An
Dain Lee
Han Na Kang
Sojin Kang
Chi-Hoon Ahn
Rony Abdi Syahputra
Rosy Iara Maciel A. Ribeiro
Bonglee Kim
author_sort Soojin An
collection DOAJ
description Melanoma, a type of skin cancer originating from melanocytes, represents a significant public health concern according to the World Health Organization. It is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers worldwide, particularly affecting populations in Europe and North America, with an increasing incidence in Asia. The rise emphasizes the need for diversified treatment approaches. Conventional treatments for melanoma, including immunotherapy, chemotherapy, and targeted therapies like the FDA-approved Opdivo and Relatlimab, often come with severe side effects and high relapse rates. Consequently, natural products have gained considerable attention for their potential to enhance therapeutic outcomes and reduce adverse effects. This systematic review evaluates the anti-cancer properties of natural products against melanoma, examining 52 studies from PubMed and Google Scholar. Our analysis focuses on the antioxidant, anti-angiogenesis, anti-metastatic, and apoptosis-inducing activities of these compounds, also discussing the regulatory factors involved. The findings advocate for intensified research into natural products as complementary agents in melanoma treatment, aiming to improve efficacy and patient quality of life. Further in vitro, in vivo, and clinical trials are essential to validate their effectiveness and integrate them into standard care protocols.
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spelling doaj-art-07d72eca56284eb39bca16ea2adb11662025-08-20T01:48:54ZengMDPI AGPlants2223-77472025-03-0114695110.3390/plants14060951Natural Products for Melanoma Therapy: From Traditional Medicine to Modern Drug DiscoverySoojin An0Jeongeun An1Dain Lee2Han Na Kang3Sojin Kang4Chi-Hoon Ahn5Rony Abdi Syahputra6Rosy Iara Maciel A. Ribeiro7Bonglee Kim8College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of KoreaCollege of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of KoreaCollege of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of KoreaKM Convergence Research Division, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daejeon 34054, Republic of KoreaCollege of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of KoreaCollege of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Biological Sciences, State Islamic University of Sunan Kalijaga (UIN Sunan Kalijaga), Yogyakarta 55281, IndonesiaLaboratory of Experimental Pathology, Federal University of São João del Rei-CCO/UFSJ, Divinópolis 35501-296, BrazilCollege of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of KoreaMelanoma, a type of skin cancer originating from melanocytes, represents a significant public health concern according to the World Health Organization. It is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers worldwide, particularly affecting populations in Europe and North America, with an increasing incidence in Asia. The rise emphasizes the need for diversified treatment approaches. Conventional treatments for melanoma, including immunotherapy, chemotherapy, and targeted therapies like the FDA-approved Opdivo and Relatlimab, often come with severe side effects and high relapse rates. Consequently, natural products have gained considerable attention for their potential to enhance therapeutic outcomes and reduce adverse effects. This systematic review evaluates the anti-cancer properties of natural products against melanoma, examining 52 studies from PubMed and Google Scholar. Our analysis focuses on the antioxidant, anti-angiogenesis, anti-metastatic, and apoptosis-inducing activities of these compounds, also discussing the regulatory factors involved. The findings advocate for intensified research into natural products as complementary agents in melanoma treatment, aiming to improve efficacy and patient quality of life. Further in vitro, in vivo, and clinical trials are essential to validate their effectiveness and integrate them into standard care protocols.https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/6/951melanomanatural productsantioxidantanti-cancerapoptosisreactive oxygen species (ROS)
spellingShingle Soojin An
Jeongeun An
Dain Lee
Han Na Kang
Sojin Kang
Chi-Hoon Ahn
Rony Abdi Syahputra
Rosy Iara Maciel A. Ribeiro
Bonglee Kim
Natural Products for Melanoma Therapy: From Traditional Medicine to Modern Drug Discovery
Plants
melanoma
natural products
antioxidant
anti-cancer
apoptosis
reactive oxygen species (ROS)
title Natural Products for Melanoma Therapy: From Traditional Medicine to Modern Drug Discovery
title_full Natural Products for Melanoma Therapy: From Traditional Medicine to Modern Drug Discovery
title_fullStr Natural Products for Melanoma Therapy: From Traditional Medicine to Modern Drug Discovery
title_full_unstemmed Natural Products for Melanoma Therapy: From Traditional Medicine to Modern Drug Discovery
title_short Natural Products for Melanoma Therapy: From Traditional Medicine to Modern Drug Discovery
title_sort natural products for melanoma therapy from traditional medicine to modern drug discovery
topic melanoma
natural products
antioxidant
anti-cancer
apoptosis
reactive oxygen species (ROS)
url https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/6/951
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