Cancer Therapy with Phytochemicals: Present and Future Perspectives

Recently, a wide range of food-derived phytochemical compounds and their synthetic derivatives have been proposed for cancer treatment. Unfortunately, data available in related literature focus on the anti-cancer properties of compounds derived from edible plants, while very little is known about those derived from non-edible plants. And thus, the underlying mechanisms of their anti-cancer effects are yet to be elucidated. This review collates the available data on the anti-cancer activities of six phytochemical-derived compounds from edible and non-edible plants, i.e. rottlerin, berbamine, sparstolonin B, sulforaphane, plumbagin and 6-shogaol. These compounds are used as bioactive markers for cytotoxicity against tumors. As such, understanding their mode of action will provide the rationale for the combination strategies of these compounds with other drugs in the battle against cancer.