Nature's weapons: Bioactive compounds as anti-cancer agents

Cancer represents a major global health burden, prompting continuous research for effective therapeutic strategies. Natural compounds derived from plants have emerged as potential strategies for preventing cancer and treatment because of their inherent pharmacological properties. This comprehensive...

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Main Authors: Amogh Auti, Madhura Tathode, Maria Michela Marino, Antonio Vitiello, Andrea Ballini, Francesco Miele, Valeria Mazzone, Alessia Ambrosino, Mariarosaria Boccellino
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: AIMS Press 2024-06-01
Series:AIMS Public Health
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Online Access:https://www.aimspress.com/article/doi/10.3934/publichealth.2024038?viewType=HTML
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author Amogh Auti
Madhura Tathode
Maria Michela Marino
Antonio Vitiello
Andrea Ballini
Francesco Miele
Valeria Mazzone
Alessia Ambrosino
Mariarosaria Boccellino
author_facet Amogh Auti
Madhura Tathode
Maria Michela Marino
Antonio Vitiello
Andrea Ballini
Francesco Miele
Valeria Mazzone
Alessia Ambrosino
Mariarosaria Boccellino
author_sort Amogh Auti
collection DOAJ
description Cancer represents a major global health burden, prompting continuous research for effective therapeutic strategies. Natural compounds derived from plants have emerged as potential strategies for preventing cancer and treatment because of their inherent pharmacological properties. This comprehensive review aimed to evaluate the therapeutic potential of five key natural compounds: apigenin, quercetin, piperine, curcumin, and resveratrol in cancer prevention and therapy. By examining their molecular mechanisms and preclinical evidence, this review seeks to elucidate their role as potential adjuvants or stand-alone therapies in cancer management. The exploration of natural compounds as cancer therapeutics offers several advantages, including low toxicity, wide availability, and compatibility with conventional chemotherapeutic agents. We highlighted the current understanding of their anticancer mechanisms and clinical applications for advancing personalized cancer care to improve patient outcomes. We discussed the empirical findings from in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies reporting biological activity and therapeutic efficacy in antioxidant, immunomodulatory, anti-carcinogenic, and chemo-sensitizing modes. Innovative delivery systems and personalized treatment approaches may further enhance their bioavailability and therapeutic utility in a synergistic approach with chemo- and radiotherapeutic disease management. This review underscores the importance of natural compounds in cancer prevention and treatment, promoting a multidisciplinary approach to the development of innovative therapeutic strategies.
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spelling doaj-art-b6dce3c7fb5843da88a9193aec59fe762025-08-20T02:15:12ZengAIMS PressAIMS Public Health2327-89942024-06-0111374777210.3934/publichealth.2024038Nature's weapons: Bioactive compounds as anti-cancer agentsAmogh Auti0Madhura Tathode1Maria Michela Marino2Antonio Vitiello 3Andrea Ballini 4 Francesco Miele5Valeria Mazzone6Alessia Ambrosino 7Mariarosaria Boccellino81. Department of Precision Medicine, Università della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy1. Department of Precision Medicine, Università della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy1. Department of Precision Medicine, Università della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy2. Ministry of Health, Directorate-General for Health Prevention, 00144 Rome, Italy3. Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Via Rovelli 50, 71122, Foggia, Italy4. General Surgery Unit, Università degli Studi della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy5. Department of Experimental Medicine, Università della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy5. Department of Experimental Medicine, Università della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy1. Department of Precision Medicine, Università della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy6. Department of Life Sciences, Health and Health Professions, Link Campus University, 00165 Rome, ItalyCancer represents a major global health burden, prompting continuous research for effective therapeutic strategies. Natural compounds derived from plants have emerged as potential strategies for preventing cancer and treatment because of their inherent pharmacological properties. This comprehensive review aimed to evaluate the therapeutic potential of five key natural compounds: apigenin, quercetin, piperine, curcumin, and resveratrol in cancer prevention and therapy. By examining their molecular mechanisms and preclinical evidence, this review seeks to elucidate their role as potential adjuvants or stand-alone therapies in cancer management. The exploration of natural compounds as cancer therapeutics offers several advantages, including low toxicity, wide availability, and compatibility with conventional chemotherapeutic agents. We highlighted the current understanding of their anticancer mechanisms and clinical applications for advancing personalized cancer care to improve patient outcomes. We discussed the empirical findings from in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies reporting biological activity and therapeutic efficacy in antioxidant, immunomodulatory, anti-carcinogenic, and chemo-sensitizing modes. Innovative delivery systems and personalized treatment approaches may further enhance their bioavailability and therapeutic utility in a synergistic approach with chemo- and radiotherapeutic disease management. This review underscores the importance of natural compounds in cancer prevention and treatment, promoting a multidisciplinary approach to the development of innovative therapeutic strategies.https://www.aimspress.com/article/doi/10.3934/publichealth.2024038?viewType=HTMLphytochemicalschemopreventive agentsanti-inflammatory compoundsneuroprotective agentsantioxidant compounds
spellingShingle Amogh Auti
Madhura Tathode
Maria Michela Marino
Antonio Vitiello
Andrea Ballini
Francesco Miele
Valeria Mazzone
Alessia Ambrosino
Mariarosaria Boccellino
Nature's weapons: Bioactive compounds as anti-cancer agents
AIMS Public Health
phytochemicals
chemopreventive agents
anti-inflammatory compounds
neuroprotective agents
antioxidant compounds
title Nature's weapons: Bioactive compounds as anti-cancer agents
title_full Nature's weapons: Bioactive compounds as anti-cancer agents
title_fullStr Nature's weapons: Bioactive compounds as anti-cancer agents
title_full_unstemmed Nature's weapons: Bioactive compounds as anti-cancer agents
title_short Nature's weapons: Bioactive compounds as anti-cancer agents
title_sort nature s weapons bioactive compounds as anti cancer agents
topic phytochemicals
chemopreventive agents
anti-inflammatory compounds
neuroprotective agents
antioxidant compounds
url https://www.aimspress.com/article/doi/10.3934/publichealth.2024038?viewType=HTML
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