Bioactive Compounds: Natural Defense Against Cancer?
Shonia Subramaniam1,2, Kanga Rani Selvaduray2, Ammu Kutty Radhakrishnan3
1Pathology Division, School of Medicine, International Medical University, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur 50050, Malaysia.
Abstract:
Cancer is a devastating disease that has claimed many lives. Natural bioactive agents from plants are gaining wide attention for their anticancer activities. Several studies have found that natural plant-based bioactive compounds can enhance the efficacy of chemotherapy, and in some cases ameliorate some of the side-effects of drugs used as chemotherapeutic agents. In this paper, we have reviewed the literature on the anticancer effects of four plant-based bioactive compounds namely, curcumin, myricetin, geraniin and tocotrienols (T3) to provide an overview on some of the key findings that are related to this effect. The molecular mechanisms through which the active compounds may exert their anticancer properties in cell and animal-based studies also discussed.
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