In the last few decades, phytochemicals have potentially gained as an important place in cancer research. The interests for these compounds have grown by researchers, as these compounds have natural in origin and hence, no stipulated side effects are known. Currently, thousands of natural herbs based compounds have been screened for their novel efficiency to control cancer cell proliferation. Among these, a large number of natural compounds gained high preventive and therapeutic values against cancer and most potential compounds along of the are lupeol, saponins, flavanoids, curcumin, resveratrol, geneistein, gingerol, allyl sulfide, berberine, lycopene, bromelain, indole-3-carbinol and polyphenols. The recent research on phytochemicals towards evaluating the anticancer efficacy has been accelerated by development of biophysical technologies. However, several challenges still persist in cancer research like heterogeneity, development of novel phenotypes in cancer cell by therapeutic drugs and tumour recurrence. These challenges open a new dimension for cancer research, and also give weight age to explore the uses of specific phytochemicals in therapy. This review summarizes the latest research in cancer treatment using the bioactive components from medicinal plants.

Keyword: phytochemical, medicinal plants, cancer

Phytochemicals, also known as phytonutrients, are natural non-essential chemical compounds found in plants (phyto is a Greek word meaning “plant”). They can occur in vegetables, grains, legumes, beans, fruits, herbs, nuts, roots, leaves and seeds. Phytochemicals are compounds that give plants their color, flavor, and smell. These compounds are thought to be largely responsible for the medicinal properties and health benefits of medicinal herbs. Some protect against cancer when isolated, some are not associated with cancer at all, and many have yet to be discovered. It is known that many phytochemicals, when kept in their natural food forms, can protect us from cancer as they interact with other phytochemicals and the cells in our bodies. This chemical acts as an antioxidant similar to vitamins A, C, and E, and may help protect the body from free radicals. It is also possible that Phytochemicals fights cancer by reacting with carcinogens and changing their structure so they can no longer initiate tumors or by speeding the death of cancer cells that have already formed.

Cancer is one of the most severe health problems in both developing and developed countries, worldwide. Among the most common (lung, stomach, colorectal, liver, breast) types of cancers, lung cancer has continued to be the most common cancer diagnosed in men and breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in women. The International Agency for Research on Cancer estimates of the incidence of mortality and prevalence from major types of cancer, at national level, for 184 countries of the world revealed that there were 14.1million new cancer cases, 8.2million cancer deaths, and 32.6million people living with cancer (within 5years of diagnosis) in 2012 worldwide. By 2030, it is projected that there will be 26million new cancer cases and 17million cancer deaths per year.

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.

Stimulate the immune system
Block substances we eat, drink and breathe from becoming carcinogens
Reduce the kind of inflammation that makes cancer growth more likely
Prevent DNA damage and help with DNA repair
Reduce the kind of oxidative damage to cells that can spark cancer
Slow the growth rate of cancer cells
Trigger damaged cells to commit suicide before they can reproduce
Help to regulate hormones

Medicinal plants have been always an important source for the discovery of new therapeutics for human diseases. These sources may be a good candidate for the development of novel anticancer agents. Medicinal plants have been studied for cancer, only a small number of them pass in vitro experiments and animal studies and are under clinical trials. Based our literature search, lupeol, saponins, flavanoids, curcumin, resveratrol, geneistein, gingerol, allyl sulfide, berberine, lycopene, bromelain, indole-3-carbinol had satisfactory instances of clinical evidence for supporting their anticancer effects. Therefore, it seems that they can be used as a complementary therapeutics along with current chemotherapy drugs against various types of cancer. Although a number of other phytochemicals could be also added to this list, it is better to remain until more clinical trials support their anticancer effect (Table 1 & Table 2).^1–13

S. no	Phytochemical	Pharmacological activity	Effect in cancers
1	Lupeol/triterpene/Fagarsterol	Anti-inflammatory, Anti-proliferative, Anti-tumour, Chemo preventive, Anti-microbial, Anti-invasive	Tumorigenicity of Prostate, skin, pancreatic, head & neck squamous cell carcinoma
2	Saponin	Anti-hyperlipidemic Anti-inflammatory, expectorant, immune stimulating activity, anti-cancer,anti-oxidative, anti-diabbetic, hepato-protective	Colon, lung cancer
3	Phytosterols
A	Stigmasterol	Anti-hyper cholestrolemic, Cytotoxicity, Anti-osteoarthritic, Hypoglycemic, Anti-tumour, Anti-inflammatory	Skin cancer
B	Campsterol	Anti-tumour, Anti-osteoarthritic, Hypoglycemic, Antioxidant, Anti-inflammatory, Anti-hypercholestromic	Breast , colon, lung cancer
C	Beta-sitosterol	Immunomodulatory effects, Anticancer, anti-atherogenic, reduced symptoms of enlarged prostate	Prostate cancer
4	Flavanoids
A	Flavanoids- flavone, Isoflavanoids	inhibit inflammation and tumor growth; may aid immunity and boost production of detoxifying enzymes in the body	Human oral, rectal, prostate, Lung, leukemia, stomach, thyroid, colon, laryngeal, breast, Colorectal, kidney
B	Luteolin	Anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, Anti-microbial, Anti-tumour, inhibition of cell proliferation, metastasis and angiogenesis	Breast, gastric, prostate cancer,
C	Genistein	Estrogenic effect Antioxidant Anticancer, cardio protective	leukemia, lymphoma, ovarian, cervical, gastric, pancreatic, breast, prostate
D	Quercetin	inhibits cell proliferation Anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-allergic, anti cancer, chemopreventive, anti-oxidative	Breast cancer
E	Epigallo-catechin gallate	Anticancer, chemopreventive, Antiproliferative	brain, prostate, cervical, bladder, colorectal cancer
5	Piperine	anti-inflammatory, anti-tumour,	Breast, prostate cancer
6	Diallyl sulphide	Anti-proliferative, preventing bone loss, Anti-cancer, hepatoprotective, immune stimulating, Anti-oxidative, Anti-hypercholestromic, Anticoagalative, detoxification, antibacterial	Skin cancer
7	Gingerol	Anti-oxadative, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumourogenic,	Colon, breast, ovarian pancreas
8	Crocetin	inhibited cancer cell proliferation, antioxidant effects ,chemo preventive	Liver lung, pancreatic, skin, colorectal , breast cancer
9	Curcumin (diferuloylmethane)	induce apoptosis in cancer cells without cytotoxic effects on healthy cells ,Anti-inflammatory, Antioxidant	colon, breast, lung metastases, brain tumor, liver, leukemia
10	Indole-3-carbinol (natural anti-carcinogen)	Supports healthy estrogen metabolism, Improve hormone balance & fat burning, Promotes liver detoxification, prevent cancer	Stomach , breast, colon, cervical, endometrial
11	Lycopene	preventing cancer and heart disease, Antioxidant	prostate, breast, endometrial, colon
12	Rosmarinic acid	anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, protect against various forms of cancers	Colon, skin cancer.
13	Fisetin	chemoprevention of cancer, anti-inflammatory, Antioxidant, Anti-carcinogenic	colon cancer

Table 1 Anti-cancerous phytochemical & its activity

S. No	Phytochemical	Medicinal plants
1	Lupeol/ triterpene [also known as Fagarsterol]	Amorphophallus campanulatus, Ficus lacor, Betula utilis, Jasminium auriculatum, Mimusops elengi, Bluea lacera, Pterocarpus marsupeum, Diospyros tomentosa, Schleichera trijuga, Ricinus comunis, Soymida febrifuga, Grewia asiatica, Ficus racemosa, Holorrhena antidycentrica, Crataeva nurvala, Salmalia malabarica,Bauhinia purpurea, Emblica officinalis,Benincasa hispida, wringtia tinctoria
2	Saponin	Asparagus adscendens, Curculigo orchioides, Costus speciosus, Mallotus philippensis, Madhuca longifolia, Trigonella foenumgreacum, Luffa echinata, Sapindus trifoliatus, Althaea officinalis, Nigella sativa, Achyranthus aspera, Crataeva nurvala, , Nigella sativa, Hemidesmus indicus, Randia spinosa, Scirpus kysoor, Citrullus colocynthis, Pongamia pinnata, Alternanthera sessilis,Callicarpa macrophylla, Cajanus cajan, Clerodendrum serratum,Coccinia indica, Luffa acutangula, Phaseolus radiates, Borringtonia acutangula, Ficus hispida, Vernonia cineria, Streblus asper, Bombax ceiba, Albizzia lebbeck, Lagenaria siceraria, Tamarindus indica, Musa paradisiacal, Centella asiatica, Caesalpinia sappan, Buchanania lazan,, Asparagus racemosa, Dioscorea bulbifera, Acacia sumo, Careya arborea, Costus speciosus, Caesalpinia bonduc, Smilex china, Gymnema sylvestre, Caesalpinia crista, Trichosanthes bracteata, tribulus terrestris
3	Phytosterols
A	Stimgasterol-an unsaturated phytosterol	Ananas comosus, Ficus racemosa, Ficus religiosa, Eupatorium triplinerve, Eclipta alba,, Amorphophallus campanulatus, Euphorbia prostrate, Acacia sumo, Smilex china, Azadirachta indica, Ochrocarpus longifolius,tribulus terrestris
B	Campesterol	Aerva lonata, Linum usitatissimum, Polyalthia longifolia, Ochrocarpus longifolius, Alangium salvifolium, Paspalum scrobiculatum, Ochrocarpus longifolius, tribulus terrestris
C	Beta-sitosterol	Terminalia arjuna, Saraca asoca, Clerodendrum phlomidis, Gmelia arborea, Boerhavia diffusa, Piper longum, Ficus glomerata, Abies webbiana, Curcuma longa, Aloe vera , Asparagus racemosus, Cyperus rotundus, Piper retrofroctum, Polyalthia longifolia, Sismbrium irio, Raphanus sativus, Gynandropsis gynanndra, Althoea officinalis, Grewia tenax, Linum usitatissimum, Ailanthus excels, Boswellia serrata, Vitis vinifera, Crotalaria verrucosa, Ficus rumphii, Cissus quadrangularis, Blumea lacera, Nyctanthes arbortristis, Cordia dichotoma, Barleria prionitis, Ficus bengalensis, Ficus religiosa, Ficus lacor, Ficus hispida, Albizzia lebbeck, Terminalia bellerica, Benincasa hispida, Centella asiatica, Anethum sowa, Foenieulum vulgare, Inula racemosa, Plumbago zeylanica, Wrightia tinctoria, Nerium indicum, Calotropis procera, Hemidesmus indicus, Swertia chirayita, Convolvulus pluricaulis, Solanum indicum, Datura metel, Bacopa monnieri, Oroxylum indicum, Adhatoda vasica, Vitex negundo, Aegle marmelos, Azadirachta indica, Aconitum heterophylum, Tinospora cordifolia, Crataeva nurvala, Mesua ferrea, Shorea robusta
4	Flavanoids
A	Flavanoids- flavone, Isoflavanoids	Aerva lanata, Asparagus racemosa, Ficus bengalensis, Cassia angustifolia, Cissampelos pareira, Swertia chirata, Pongamia pinnata,, Thespesia populnea, Salvadora persica, Ougeinia oojeinensis, Leucas cephalotes, Cynodon dactylon, Juniperus communis, Pinus roxburghii, Dallbergia sissoo, Oroxylum indicum, Cedrus deodara, Butea monosperma, , Allium sativum, Taraxacum officinale, Phaseolus trilobus, Cassia absus, Nymphea alba, Annona sqquamosa, Madhuca longifolia, Argyreia speciosa, Hordeum vulgare, Pluchea lanceolata, Dolichos biflorus, Luffa echinata, Nymphea alba, Cleome gynandra, Premna integrifolia, Hordeum vulgare
B	Luteolin	Luffa echinata, Phaseolus trilobus, Nymphea alba, Cleome gynandra, Premna integrifolia, Hordeum vulgare, Hydnocarpus wightiana, Ferula northax, Apiu graveolans
C	Genistein	Prunus puddum, Dolichos biflorus
D	Quercetin	Moringa oleifera, Allium sativum, Taraxacum officinale, Phaseolus trilobus, Cassia absus, Clitoria ternatea,Nymphea alba, Annona sqquamosa, Madhuca longifolia, Dendrophthoe falcate, Argyreia speciosa, Hordeum vulgare, Pluchea lanceolata, Prunus avium, Typha elephantine, Calycopteris floribunda, Typha australis, Crataeva nurvala, Saraka asoca, Syzygium cumini
E	Epigallo-catechin gallate	Green tea
5	Piperine	Piper cubeba, Piper chaba, Piper longum, Piper nigrum
6	Diallyl sulphide	Allium sativum
7	Gingerol	Zingiber officinale
8	Crocetin	Saffron crocus, Crocus sativus
9	Curcumin(diferuloylmethane)	Curcuma longa
10	Indole-3-carbinol	Cruciferae family plants
11	Lycopene	tomatoes, red carrots, watermelons, pink graspefruit, papayas,Guavas
12	Rosmarinic acid	Ocimum species-Ocimum sanctum, Ocimu Basilicum
13	Fisetin	onion, cucumber
14	Resveratrol	Syzygium cumini , Artocarpus heterophyllus) Morus rubra, Vitis vinifera, Aegle marmelos, Annona squamosa), Emblica officinalis, Hippophae rhamnoided, Tamarindus indiaca, Morus rubra, Syzygium cumini* , Artocarpus heterophyllus, Punica granatum)*

Table 2 Phytochemical present in medicinal plants

In literary Review, I discussed the potential anticancer phytochemicals and dietary agents, their molecular targets, and their mechanisms of actions. The understanding of molecular mechanism of a specific plant derived compound against a particular type of cancer will lead to the invention of novel drug and drug targets for therapeutic intervention. Therefore, for many of phytochemicals, it is too early to draw conclusion for their anticancer actions. Moreover, much remains to be learned about pharmacokinetics, drug interactions, ideal dosages, long-term safety and adverse effects of phytochemicals proposed for cancer treatment. On the other hand, fortunately molecular mechanisms responsible for anticancer effect of several medicinal plants have been revealed by in vitro studies. These mechanisms include antioxidation, carcinogen inactivation, anti-proliferation, cell cycle arrest, induction of apoptosis, and inhibition of angiogenesis or a combination of these mechanisms. It is believed that herbal preparations containing multiple phytochemicals may have greater effects than the same phytochemical taken separately. Based on this belief, combinations of the anticancer phytochemicals may have more effect and yield more potent therapeutic agents for cancer.

None.

The author declares no conflicts of interest.

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Complementary & Alternative Medicine

Abstract

Introduction

Function of phytochemicals

Conclusion

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