Natural Products in Breast Cancer: Mechanistic insights & translational potential for Treatment and Prevention

Breast cancer (BC) remains a significant global health challenge, with existing treatments often accompanied by severe side effects and high recurrence rates. This review explores the potential of natural products as complementary therapies for breast cancer management, highlighting their bioactive compounds' diverse therapeutic effects, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and apoptosis-inducing properties. Key classes of natural compounds, such as polyphenols (green tea, curcumin, resveratrol), flavonoids (quercetin, genistein), terpenoids (limonene, lycopene), and alkaloids (berberine, vincristine), are discussed for their anticancer efficacy. These natural agents have demonstrated a promising preclinical efficacy with the ability to inhibit tumor growth, modulating cell signalling pathways, and enhancing conventional cancer treatment modalities. Additionally, the review covers dietary sources rich in these bioactives, including fruits, vegetables, and herbs, as well as supplements, which offer practical ways to incorporate these compounds into cancer prevention and treatment strategies. While preclinical studies and clinical trials show promising results, challenges such as bioavailability, standardization, and regulatory approval remain obstacles to the clinical use of natural products. Future research focuses on overcoming these limitations by integrating the natural products in breast cancer management. This review underscores the potential of natural products to contribute.