Role of plant-derived compounds in immune enhancement against uncontrollable cell proliferation

Cancer, a formidable global health challenge, poses chronic and persistent treatment obstacles. The imperative to combat cancer through preventive measures emerges as a pivotal strategy in mitigating this intricate disease worldwide. This discourse highlighted the intricate roles of plant-derived compounds (PDCs) endowed with anti-cancer properties. The study, encompassing research on human and animal cancer cell lines, scrutinizes articles sourced from English-language repositories such as PubMed, Springer, Wiley, Scopus, and the Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute. The PDCs like quercetin, epigallocatechin-3-gallate, curcumin, genistein, daidzein, apigenin, luteolin, vitexin, naringenin, resveratrol, silibinin, and astaxanthin found in fruits and vegetables exhibit promise in combating various cancer cell lines. Mechanistically, these compounds induce apoptosis, modulate the activities of molecular cytoprotective and antioxidant enzymes, and influence signal transduction pathways such as mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), including extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK), P38, and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). Despite their potential, many PDCs face solubility challenges in aqueous environments, impacting their bioavailability and questioning their therapeutic translation into clinical practice. This prompts the need for further research on the pharmacokinetics and optimal delivery strategies for these health-promoting compounds targeting cancer cells.