Targeting Cancer Signaling Pathways with Plant-Derived Agents: A Review

Abstract

Cancer remains a global health challenge, and current therapies, including chemotherapy and radiation therapy, are often limited by serious side effects and drug resistance. These limitations have sparked increasing interest in natural alternatives, especially plant-based compounds with diverse biological actions. Several phytochemicals, such as curcumin, epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), withaferin-A, kaempferol, and quercetin, have been shown to inhibit important signaling pathways that cancer cells rely on for growth, survival, and metastasis. These natural agents, which often target multiple cellular pathways rather than a single target, as many drugs do, are particularly valuable in the fight against drug-resistant cancers. Nevertheless, their clinical use is limited by issues such as low bioavailability, distinct pharmacokinetics, and tumor heterogeneity. In view of these challenges, the utilization of innovative drug delivery methods, such as nano-functionalized formulations, along with combination strategies, has been considered in recent studies. This evidence gives way to the development of network pharmacology and personalized medicine as valuable strategies in maximizing the therapeutic activity of medicinal plants; This review explores the mechanisms by which these agents exert their anticancer activity and highlights progress made in, as well as hurdles remaining toward, the integration of these strategies into contemporary oncology.