title: Phytochemicals - A Novel and Prominent Source of Anti-cancer Drugs Against Colorectal Cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a malignant disease whose incidence and mortality rates are greatly influenced by environmental factors. Under-treatment of CRC such as a poor diagnostic evaluation, less aggressive surgery, less intensive chemotherapy results in metastasizing of the primary tumor cells and recurrence of cancer. Prolonged chemotherapy treatment against cancer is hazardous to the patients, which also limits its use in cancer therapy. Current research in developing a novel anti-cancer agent, direct towards finding a better antimetastatic and an anti-invasive drug with reduced side effects.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In this direction, plant derived chemical compounds or phytochemical act as a prominent source of new compounds for drug development. Phytochemicals have a multi-action and a multi-target capacity, and has gained attention among the research communities from last two decades. Epidemiological study shows a direct relationship between a diet and CRC development. A diet rich in plant based products such as vegetables, fruits and cereals is known to prevent CRC development. This review is an effort to explore more about the potential phytochemicals in CRC prevention and also in CRC treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Here, we have discussed few phytochemicals actively used in CRC research and are in clinical trials against CRC. We have explored more on some of these phytochemicals which can act as a source for new drug or can act as a lead compound for further modifications during the drug development against cancer.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Avenida de Universidade, Taipa, Macau SAR. China.
authors.forename: Ravikiran
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mahadevappa
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Avenida de Universidade, Taipa, Macau SAR. China.
authors.forename: Hang Fai
authors.initials: HF
authors.lastname: Kwok
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D064209:Phytochemicals / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D064209:Phytochemicals
keywords: Colorectal cancer; Withaferin A; anti-cancer; anti-oxidants; curcumin; phytochemicals; resveratrol