Recent Advances in Natural Phytocompounds for the Chemotherapeutic Management of Head and Neck Squamous Cell...

The most prevalent cancers of the head and neck are oral squamous cell carcinomas, which arise from the mucosal epithelium of the oral cavity, throat, and larynx. According to GLOBOCAN, oral squamous cell carcinoma is the sixth most frequent malignancy worldwide and is expected to increase in prevalence by 30% by 2030. A thorough understanding of the underlying molecular processes can lead to novel therapeutic approaches that utilize phytochemicals, either alone or in combination with currently approved medicines, for a range of malignancies. Phytochemicals present in food can influence the antioxidant status of the oral cavity and contribute to its protection. Plant-derived antioxidants, including polyphenols, have been shown to scavenge reactive nitrogen species, chelate ions, and mitigate adverse effects. The mucosal and submucosal compartments are involved in enhanced immune responses, decreased cell proliferation, increased cell death, and diminished regenerative capacity. To effectively prevent and treat oral squamous cell carcinoma, this review summarizes some of the most potent phytochemicals. These compounds can arrest the cell cycle, induce differentiation and apoptosis, inhibit angiogenesis, and suppress the invasive and metastatic properties of cancer cells. Their mechanisms of action include cytochrome-c release, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, downregulation of antiapoptotic proteins, upregulation of pro-apoptotic proteins, activation of caspases and p53, inhibition of the Akt/mTOR signaling pathway, and modulation of NF-κB, STAT3, and PI3K phosphorylation. Additionally, phytochemicals can reduce the damage caused by radiation and chemotherapy to healthy cells during treatment. This review highlights plant extracts and their bioactive compounds reported for the management of head and neck cancers from 2018 to 2024.