Phytochemicals in Cancer Therapy: Modulating Cell Cycle, Angiogenesis, and Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition
Sheikh Showkat Ahmad, Chandni Garg, Aashaq Hussain Bhat, Sharnjeet Kaur
Abstract
Cancer remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Various environmental and lifestyle factors that can be modified are linked to the development of different cancers. There is a growing scientific interest in discovering effective chemopreventive agents from natural sources. Phytochemicals have been extensively studied for their ability to prevent cancer progression through diverse cellular and molecular mechanisms. Due to their advantages such as accessibility, safety, efficacy, and better bioavailability, phytochemicals are increasingly favored over synthetic drugs. These compounds combat cancer through multiple pathways, including hindering epithelial to mesenchymal transition, inducing cell cycle arrest, promoting apoptosis, reducing levels of anti-apoptotic proteins, modifying signaling pathways, preventing epigenetic changes, and reducing oxidative stress-induced DNA damage. This review provides an overview of the molecular targets impacted by the anti-cancer activities of phytochemicals, particularly focusing on flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, isothiocyanates, and extracts from medicinal plants, and their roles in inhibiting angiogenesis, arresting the cell cycle, and suppressing epithelial to mesenchymal transition in various cancers.