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Updated: Jun 9, 2026

Mimicking the Function of Signaling Proteins: Toward Artificial Signal Transduction Therapy
12:24

Mimicking the Function of Signaling Proteins: Toward Artificial Signal Transduction Therapy

Published on: September 29, 2016

Exploiting signal transduction pathways for cancer therapy: insights from natural products in preclinical models

Sarad Pawar Naik Bukke1, Balakrishna Vuyyala2, Chandrashekar Thalluri3

  • 1Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, Kampala International University, Kampala, Uganda.

Frontiers in Pharmacology
|June 8, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Natural products can modify cancer cell signalling pathways, including MAPK, PI3K/AKT/mTOR, and Wnt/β-catenin. This review explores how phytochemicals target cancer by inhibiting these pathways, inducing apoptosis, and reducing tumor growth.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Cancer development involves genetic/epigenetic alterations in key cell signalling pathways like MAPK, PI3K/AKT/mTOR, and Wnt/β-catenin.
  • These pathways regulate crucial cellular processes including growth, division, and apoptosis, making their dysregulation a hallmark of oncogenesis.
  • Aberrant signalling in these pathways presents therapeutic targets for cancer treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of natural products in modulating cancer-related molecular signalling pathways.
  • To highlight the mechanisms by which phytochemicals from natural products exert anti-cancer effects in preclinical models.
  • To discuss the potential of phytopharmaceuticals in evidence-based oncology.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of preclinical studies on natural products and cancer signalling pathways.
  • Analysis of data demonstrating phytochemicals' effects on molecular targets.
  • Examination of mechanisms including pathway inhibition, apoptosis induction, and tumor growth reduction.

Main Results:

  • Natural products contain bioactive phytochemicals that target cancer cells by inhibiting specific signalling pathways.
  • These compounds demonstrate efficacy in preclinical models by inducing apoptosis, inhibiting tumor growth, and altering oncogenic crosstalk.
  • Evidence shows natural products can modify MAPK, PI3K/AKT/mTOR, and Wnt/β-catenin signalling cascades.

Conclusions:

  • Natural compounds offer a promising avenue for developing targeted cancer therapies by modulating key signalling pathways.
  • A pathway-centered approach is crucial for understanding the therapeutic mechanisms of natural products.
  • Further research is needed to address study variability, bioavailability, and robustness to integrate phytopharmaceuticals into clinical oncology.
Keywords:
cancer metabolismmutationsnatural productspreclinical modelssignal transduction pathways

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