Phytochemical innovations in oral cancer therapy: targeting oncogenic pathways with natural compounds.

Abstract

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remains a significant global health concern due to its high mortality rate, late-stage diagnosis, and limited treatment options. Conventional therapies such as surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy often face limitations including drug resistance, recurrence, and systemic toxicity, prompting the need for alternative strategies. This narrative review synthesizes recent preclinical evidence on the use of natural phytochemicals including alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, and terpenoids for OSCC treatment. These compounds demonstrate anticancer effects through apoptosis induction, oxidative stress modulation, immunoregulation, and metastasis inhibition. In vitro and in vivo studies highlight their cytotoxicity, tumor-suppressive properties, and pharmacokinetic profiles. Additionally, nanotechnology-based delivery systems have shown potential in overcoming bioavailability barriers and enhancing therapeutic efficacy. However, most findings are preclinical, and challenges such as poor pharmacokinetics, off-target effects, and limited clinical trial data must be addressed. This review emphasizes the translational promise of phytochemicals and calls for further clinical validation to integrate these agents into OSCC management.