Beyond chemotherapy: The therapeutic promise of plant-derived compounds in cancer treatment

Cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide. Despite significant advancements in treatment and control, there remain critical deficiencies and opportunities for improvement. Chemotherapy often comes with undesirable side effects, prompting interest in natural therapies, particularly plant-derived products, which may help mitigate these adverse effects. Currently, a limited number of plant products are utilized in cancer treatment, yet numerous others exhibit promising anticancer properties in vitro but have not yet been evaluated in humans. Further research is essential to assess the efficacy of these plant compounds for cancer treatment in clinical settings. This review will focus on various plant-derived chemical compounds that have recently shown potential as anticancer agents, detailing their mechanisms of action and the promise they hold for future therapeutic development.