Nigerian medicinal plants with potential anticancer activity-a review

Area of Science:

• Ethnomedicine
• Pharmacology
• Oncology

Background:

• Global cancer incidence is increasing, with poor outcomes in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) due to limited resources.
• Nigeria, a populous African nation, faces significant challenges in cancer care and control.
• Traditional Nigerian medicine utilizes various plants, with emerging evidence suggesting anti-cancer properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and integrate ethnomedicinal knowledge of Nigerian medicinal plants with scientific data on their anti-cancer potential.
• To identify plants used in Nigerian traditional medicine for cancer treatment that show scientific promise.
• To create a resource for accelerating the discovery of novel anti-cancer drugs from Nigerian flora.

Main Methods:

• Searched scientific databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, etc.) for research on anti-cancer medicinal plants.
• Collected ethnobotanical and ethnomedicinal data on plants used for cancer in Nigeria.
• Linked traditional uses with scientific findings on cytotoxicity and active compounds.

Main Results:

• Identified several Nigerian medicinal plants with documented anti-cancer activities.
• Compiled data on the cytotoxicity of plant extracts and their isolated compounds against cancer cells.
• Highlighted the scientific basis for traditional anti-cancer remedies in Nigeria.

Conclusions:

• Nigerian medicinal plants represent a valuable resource for developing new anti-cancer therapies.
• Integration of ethnomedicinal data with scientific research is crucial for drug discovery.
• This review serves as a vital resource for researchers and clinicians in cancer prevention and management.