Bioactive Extracts and Phytochemical Properties in Cancer Therapy
Summary
Bioactive extracts derived from plants constitute a rich repository of phytochemicals with demonstrated potential to prevent or treat cancer. These preparations typically contain flavonoids, phenolic acids, terpenoids and alkaloids that act through multiple mechanisms, including induction of apoptosis, inhibition of tumour cell proliferation, suppression of angiogenesis and modulation of inflammatory signalling. Many phytochemicals enhance the efficacy of conventional therapies by overcoming drug resistance, often via disruption of mitochondrial respiration or interference with oncogenic pathways. The global significance of this field lies in the accessibility of botanical resources and the opportunity to discover novel lead compounds. Challenges remain in standardising extract composition, improving bioavailability and conducting rigorous clinical evaluation. Nevertheless, advances in extraction techniques, high‐throughput screening and mechanistic studies are fostering the translation of bioactive extracts into adjuvant treatments and chemopreventive agents.
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Bioactive Extracts and Phytochemical Properties in Cancer Therapy publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in bioactive extracts and phytochemical properties in cancer therapy across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Bioactive extracts: Preparations obtained from natural sources that contain multiple compounds capable of exerting specific biological effects.
Phytochemicals: Biologically active secondary metabolites produced by plants, including flavonoids, alkaloids and terpenoids.
Apoptosis: Programmed cell death characterised by membrane blebbing, DNA fragmentation and caspase activation, often targeted to eliminate cancer cells.
Mitochondrial respiration: The process by which cells generate ATP through oxidative phosphorylation; its disruption can trigger cancer cell death.
Chemoprevention: Use of natural or synthetic agents to inhibit, delay or reverse carcinogenesis.
References
- Gallic Acid Enhances the Efficacy of BCR::ABL1 Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia through Inhibition of Mitochondrial Respiration and Modulation of Oncogenic Signaling Pathways. International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2024).
- A Comprehensive Insight into Māmaki (Pipturus albidus): Its Ethnomedicinal Heritage, Human Health Research, and Phytochemical Properties. Plants (2023).
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