Understanding the Anticancer Effects of Phytochemicals: From Molecular Docking to Anticarcinogenic Signaling

As nontraditional nutrients, the biological activity of phytochemicals have been extensively studied for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and apoptosis-promoting effects in various diseases. The general anticancer benefits of phytochemicals have been demonstrated in both basic researches and clinical trials. However, researchers understanding of how phytochemicals target cancer-related signaling pathways is still in its infancy. Molecular docking simulation analyses have yielded a large amount of cellular target molecules of phytochemicals. Herein, we review the potential signaling pathways that may be involved in the phytochemical-driven cancer benefits. We expect these findings to help in the design of potential cancer treatments designed by manipulating the binding modes and sites of these plant chemicals.