Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 17, 2025
09:20
Preclinical Assessment of the Bioactivity of the Anticancer Coumarin OT48 by Spheroids, Colony Formation Assays, and Zebrafish Xenografts
Published on: June 26, 2018
8.5K
Natural Products as Anticancer Agents: Current Status and Future Perspectives.
Abid Naeem1, Pengyi Hu1, Ming Yang1
1Key Laboratory of Modern Preparation of Chinese Medicine, Ministry of Education, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang 330004, China.
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
|December 11, 2022
Summary
Natural products offer promising anticancer agents, showing potential in preclinical studies for new cancer treatments. This review explores their diverse applications and mechanisms against cancer.
Area of Science:
- Natural Product Chemistry
- Oncology
- Drug Discovery
Background:
- Natural products have historically served as a vital source of anticancer agents.
- Despite advancements, modern cancer treatments often yield limited success.
- Natural products are increasingly recognized for their unique molecular diversity and biofunctionality.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the emerging role of natural products in cancer treatment and prevention.
- To highlight various applications including chemosensitizers, immunotherapeutics, and combinatorial therapies.
- To discuss novel formulations and underlying molecular mechanisms of natural products in cancer therapy.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of preclinical and clinical research on natural products for cancer.
- Analysis of studies focusing on structure modification and synthesis using natural compounds.
- Examination of research on natural products as cytotoxic agents, chemosensitizers, and immunotherapeutics.
Main Results:
- Natural products demonstrate significant potential as cytotoxic agents in preclinical research.
- They offer advantages in efficacy and safety due to unique molecular properties.
- Investigated applications include enhancing existing therapies and novel formulation strategies.
Conclusions:
- Natural products represent a valuable and diverse resource for developing new anticancer drugs.
- Their unique properties support innovative strategies for cancer treatment and prevention.
- Further research into natural products can expedite clinical translation and improve cancer outcomes.
Related Concept Videos
02:57Targeted Cancer Therapies
7.8K
The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against...
There are several types of targeted therapies against...
7.8K
02:59Cancer Prevention
6.3K
Several factors can increase the risk of cancer in an individual. About 50% of cancer cases can be prevented by adopting a healthy lifestyle, regular exercise, eating healthy, and following a modest cancer prevention diet. Epidemiological studies have consistently shown that populations with vegetable and fruit-rich diets have reduced the incidence of cancer. On the other hand, populations who have a diet rich in animal fat, red meat, junk food, or high calories are predisposed to cancer.
Some...
Some...
6.3K
02:49Cancer Therapies
7.9K
Cancer therapies are various modes of treatment, such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy that are administered to cancer patients.
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
7.9K
02:50Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine
5.0K
Combining two or more treatment methods increases the life span of cancer patients while reducing damage to vital organs or tissue from the overuse of a single treatment. Combination therapy also targets different cancer-inducing pathways, thus reducing the chances of developing resistance to treatment.
The combination of the drug acetazolamide and sulforaphane is a good example of combination therapy to treat cancer. The cells in the interior of a large tumor often die due to the hypoxic and...
The combination of the drug acetazolamide and sulforaphane is a good example of combination therapy to treat cancer. The cells in the interior of a large tumor often die due to the hypoxic and...
5.0K
01:30Cancer Vaccines
480
Cancer treatment vaccines are a rapidly evolving field that offers a promising approach to immunotherapy. Unlike traditional vaccines that prevent diseases, cancer treatment vaccines are designed to treat existing cancers by stimulating the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells.
Cancer vaccines come in two categories: preventive (prophylactic) and treatment (active). Preventive vaccines, such as the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, protect against viruses that cause certain...
Cancer vaccines come in two categories: preventive (prophylactic) and treatment (active). Preventive vaccines, such as the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, protect against viruses that cause certain...
480
02:34Inhibition of Cdk Activity
4.9K
The orderly progression of the cell cycle depends on the activation of Cdk protein by binding to its cyclin partner. However, the cell cycle must be restricted when undergoing abnormal changes. Most cancers correlate to the deregulated cell cycle, and since Cdks are a central component of the cell cycle, Cdk inhibitors are extensively studied to develop anticancer agents. For instance, cyclin D associates with several Cdks, such as Cdk 4/6, to form an active complex. The cyclin D-Cdk4/6 complex...
4.9K