Applicability of Plant Extracts in Preclinical Studies of Melanoma: A Systematic Review

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Dermatology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Melanoma, an aggressive skin cancer, has limited treatment options.
• Ultraviolet radiation exposure is a primary cause of melanoma.
• Natural products are increasingly explored for cancer treatment due to chemotherapy's limitations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review studies on the efficacy of plant extracts in treating melanoma.
• To investigate the effects of various plant extracts on melanoma in murine models.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature review of studies in MEDLINE/Pubmed and Scopus databases.
• Studies focused on plant extracts, melanoma, and animal models, adhering to PRISM and ARRIVE guidelines.
• Analysis of 35 identified studies conducted in murine models.

Main Results:

• Plant extracts demonstrated antiangiogenic, antimetastatic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects.
• Extracts were effective in modulating the cell cycle and evading apoptosis in melanoma models.
• Identified limitations include lack of standardized designs, statistical testing, and result presentation.

Conclusions:

• Plant extracts show significant potential for melanoma treatment in preclinical murine models.
• The diverse biological activities of extracts support their therapeutic application.
• Standardization of experimental designs and reporting is crucial for future research.