Deciphering therapeutic potential of phytoconstituents for mitigating cervical cancer: A pharmacognostic approach

Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer affecting women globally, with approximately 570,000 new cases and 311,000 deaths reported annually. The burden is disproportionately higher in low- and middle-income countries, accounting for nearly 90 % of related deaths. Persistent infection with high-risk types of Human Papillomavirus (HPV), particularly 13 oncogenic strains, is a well-established cause of cervical neoplasia. The incidence and mortality are closely tied to the level of healthcare development, with effective screening programs—such as Pap smears, HPV DNA testing, and visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA)—proven to significantly reduce disease burden by detecting precancerous changes early. Prevention through timely screening and vaccination remains key in combating cervical cancer. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the disease's pathophysiology, current treatment strategies and their limitations, the role of phyto-constituents (particularly flavonoids) in therapy, and a summary of recent patents and clinical trials related to cervical cancer.