Modulation of signal transduction pathways by natural compounds in cancer.
Cancer is generally regarded as the result of abnormal growth of cells. According to World Health Organization, cancer is the leading cause of mortality worldwide. Mother nature provides a large source of bioactive compounds with excellent therapeutic efficacy. Numerous phytochemicals from nature have been investigated for anticancer properties. In this review article, we discuss several natural compounds, which have shown anti-cancer activity. Natural compounds induce cell cycle arrest, activate intrinsic and extrinsic apoptosis pathways, generate Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), and down-regulate activated signaling pathways, resulting in inhibition of cell proliferation, progression and metastasis of cancer. Several preclinical studies have suggested that natural compounds can also increase the sensitivity of resistant cancers to available chemotherapy agents. Furthermore, combining FDA approved anti-cancer drugs with natural compounds results in improved efficacy. On the basis of these exciting outcomes of natural compounds against several cancer types, several agents have already advanced to clinical trials. In conclusion, preclinical results and clinical outcomes against cancer suggest promising anticancer efficacy of agents from natural sources.
Department of Biomedical Sciences and Cancer Biology Center, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, TX 79106, USA.
Alok
A
Ranjan
Department of Biomedical Sciences and Cancer Biology Center, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, TX 79106, USA.
Neel M
NM
Fofaria
Cancer Preventive Material Development Research Center, College of Korean Medicine, Department of Pathology, Kyunghee University, Seoul 131-701, South Korea. Electronic address: sungkim7@khu.ac.kr.
Sung-Hoon
SH
Kim
Department of Biomedical Sciences and Cancer Biology Center, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, TX 79106, USA; Cancer Preventive Material Development Research Center, College of Korean Medicine, Department of Pathology, Kyunghee University, Seoul 131-701, South Korea. Electronic address: sanjay.srivastava@ttuhsc.edu.
Sanjay K
SK
Srivastava
D000818:Animals; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D019684:Magnoliopsida / Q000737:chemistry*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D064209:Phytochemicals / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects
D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D064209:Phytochemicals; D010936:Plant Extracts
Cancer; Capsaicin; Cucurbitacin B; Curcumin; Deguelin; Diindolylmethane (DIM); Isothiocyanate; Natural compounds; Piperine