Phytochemical Interventions in Breast Cancer Therapeutics
Summary
Phytochemicals encompass a diverse array of plant‐derived compounds, including flavonoids, phenolic acids and terpenoids, that have shown promise as adjuvant and primary agents against breast cancer. These bioactive molecules exert anticancer effects by modulating key signalling pathways—such as PI3K/AKT, MAPK and NF-κB—inducing apoptosis, generating reactive oxygen species and triggering endoplasmic reticulum stress. They also influence epigenetic regulators and non-coding RNAs, inhibit angiogenesis and suppress metastatic processes, offering a multi-targeted approach with reduced toxicity compared to conventional chemotherapeutics. The global significance of this research lies in the potential to harness locally available botanicals for chemoprevention and synergistic combination therapies in diverse healthcare settings.
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Phytochemical Interventions in Breast Cancer Therapeutics publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in phytochemical interventions in breast cancer therapeutics across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Phytochemicals: Bioactive plant-derived compounds with therapeutic potential against cancer.
Apoptosis: Programmed cell death involving caspase activation and orderly cellular dismantling.
Reactive oxygen species (ROS): Highly reactive oxygen ions or molecules that can induce oxidative stress and signal apoptosis.
Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress: Cellular response to accumulation of unfolded proteins in the ER, often leading to apoptosis.
Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT): Biological process whereby epithelial cells acquire migratory and invasive characteristics.
Caspases: Family of cysteine proteases that orchestrate the execution phase of apoptosis.
References
- Comprehensive Assessment of the Antioxidant and Anticancer Potential of Selected Ethnobotanical Plants. Oxygen (2023).
- Nodakenin Induces ROS-Dependent Apoptotic Cell Death and ER Stress in Radioresistant Breast Cancer. Antioxidants (2023).
- Promoting Apoptosis, a Promising Way to Treat Breast Cancer With Natural Products: A Comprehensive Review. Frontiers in Pharmacology (2022).
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