The function of natural compounds in important anticancer mechanisms

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Pharmacology
• Natural Products Chemistry

Background:

• Malignant tumors pose a significant threat to human health, necessitating effective therapeutic strategies.
• While conventional cancer therapies like radiotherapy and chemotherapy have advanced, they carry inherent risks.
• Natural compounds are increasingly recognized for their therapeutic potential in cancer due to accessibility, efficacy, and favorable side-effect profiles.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review the anti-cancer effects of natural compounds.
• To elucidate the mechanisms by which natural compounds impact cancer progression.
• To explore the role of natural compounds in four critical cancer-related pathways: cell death, tumor microenvironment, inflammation, and metastasis.

Main Methods:

• Literature review and synthesis of existing research on natural compounds and cancer.
• Identification and analysis of key molecular pathways involved in cancer.
• Categorization of natural compounds based on their chemical structures (phenolics, flavonoids, terpenoids, alkaloids).

Main Results:

• Natural compounds exhibit diverse anti-tumor activities, including promoting apoptosis, inhibiting proliferation and angiogenesis, and modulating immune responses.
• Specific natural compounds demonstrate efficacy against various cancers, including breast, liver, lung, gastric, and rectal cancers.
• Natural compounds influence critical cancer pathways, affecting cell death, immune cell function within the tumor microenvironment, inflammation, and metastasis.

Conclusions:

• Natural compounds, particularly those found in traditional Chinese medicine, represent a valuable resource for cancer prevention and treatment.
• Targeting cell death, the tumor microenvironment, inflammation, and metastasis with natural compounds offers a promising strategy for novel cancer therapies.
• Further research into the mechanisms and clinical applications of natural compounds is warranted to optimize their use in oncology.