Medicinal plants with antineoplastic potency and possible biomarkers for monitoring and diagnosing neoplastic disease

Abstract

Cancer continues to be a significant global health liability characterized by high mortality rates and substantial treatment costs. The limitations of the existing therapeutic strategies, including chemotherapy, have led to the search for alternatives. This review categorizes the bioactive compounds from medicinal plants, including quinones, polyphenols, triterpenes, flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, and saponins, and examines their antineoplastic effects. Plant bioactives exert anticancer effects through multiple mechanisms, including the inhibition of angiogenesis, induction of apoptosis, and cell cycle arrest, mediated by complex cellular signaling pathways. Therefore, exploring additional plant-based bioactives and their respective mechanisms of action is essential. This review highlights several medicinal plants with anticancer properties, including Artemisia annua , Coptis chinensis , and Curcuma longa . Many of these active compounds are currently in clinical use, such as paclitaxel, vinblastine, and topotecan. Biomarkers play a critical role in the diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of cancer, with key examples discussed, including the BRAF V600E mutation, the EGFR gene, and BRCA1/BRCA2 genes . Despite advancements in cancer treatment, medicinal plants continue to offer promising alternatives, emphasizing the need for further exploration for the development of antineoplastic drugs.