Harnessing the Potential of Natural Products in Cancer Treatment: A Comprehensive Review

Abstract

Introduction: Natural products offer diverse therapeutic effects in chronic disorders, of which cancer is a major one. Natural products act as modulators of the receptor pathway, thus being protective and reducing the impact of many coexisting medical problems. The present review evaluates the therapeutic efficacy of natural products in the context of cancer therapy. Methods: A detailed and thorough survey of the research and review papers published in the concerned domain was extensively studied and considered with the help of suitable keywords in all prominent databases. Results: The increasing popularity of natural products as anticancer agents can be attributed to their distinctive chemical composition and capacity to target a wide range of cancer pathways. This in-depth review examines the classifications, mechanisms of action, preclinical and clinical investigations, and prospects of natural product combination cancer therapy. Phytochemicals from plants, marine organisms and fungi induce apoptosis, reduce cell proliferation, and regulate signalling pathways to fight cancer. Preclinical studies demonstrated cytotoxic effects and molecular targets, whereas clinical trials showed cancer shrinkage and improved survival. Natural treatments enhance orthodox therapy and reduce pharmaceutical resistance. Clinical usage requires safety and formulation uniformity. Conclusion: Future research on natural phytochemicals, novel compounds, and delivery systems for immunotherapy and personalized treatment is warranted. More research and validation are required to optimize cancer treatment using natural products.