Title: Plants vs. cancer: a review on natural phytochemicals in preventing and treating cancers and their druggability.

Authors: Wang, Hu; Khor, Tin Oo; Shu, Limin; Su, Zheng-Yuan; Fuentes, Francisco; Lee, Jong-Hun; Kong, Ah-Ng Tony

Published In Anticancer Agents Med Chem, (2012 Dec)

Abstract: Cancer remains to be one of the leading causes of death in the United States and around the world. The advent of modern drug-targeted therapies has undeniably improved cancer patients' cares. However, advanced metastasized cancer remains untreatable. Hence, continued searching for a safer and more effective chemoprevention and treatment is clearly needed for the improvement of the efficiency and to lower the treatment cost for cancer care. Cancer chemoprevention with natural phytochemical compounds is an emerging strategy to prevent, impede, delay, or cure cancer. This review summarizes the latest research in cancer chemoprevention and treatment using the bioactive components from natural plants. Relevant molecular mechanisms involved in the pharmacological effects of these phytochemicals are discussed. Pharmaceutical developmental challenges and opportunities in bringing the phytochemicals into the market are also explored. The authors wish to expand this research area not only for their scientific soundness, but also for their potential druggability.

PubMed ID: 22583408

MeSH Terms: Animals; Anticarcinogenic Agents/administration & dosage; Anticarcinogenic Agents/pharmacology; Anticarcinogenic Agents/therapeutic use*; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/administration & dosage; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/pharmacology; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/therapeutic use*; Biological Products/administration & dosage; Biological Products/pharmacology; Biological Products/therapeutic use*; Chemoprevention; Humans; Neoplasms/drug therapy*; Neoplasms/prevention & control*; Plant Preparations/administration & dosage; Plant Preparations/pharmacology; Plant Preparations/therapeutic use*