Mechanisms and benefits of phytochemicals as an alternative therapeutic strategy in female cancers.
10.1016/j.chmed.2025.04.002
- Author:
Yufan ZHAO
1
;
Shimenghui DENG
1
;
Danli CAO
1
;
Caiji LIN
1
;
Mengzhi XU
1
;
Jiaxing WANG
1
;
Lingjie LUO
1
;
Shulin LIU
1
;
Huidi LIU
1
Author Information
1. Genomics Research Center (Key Laboratory of Gut Microbiota and Pharmacogenomics of Heilongjiang Province, State-Province Key Laboratory of Biomedicine-Pharmaceutics of China), College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, China.
- Publication Type:Review
- Keywords:
cancer treatment;
female cancers;
gut microbiota;
mechanism of action;
phytochemicals
- From:
Chinese Herbal Medicines
2025;17(3):448-463
- CountryChina
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Cancer is a highly deadly disease, with breast cancer, cervical cancer, endometrial cancer, and ovarian cancer being the most prevalent in women. However, traditional cancer treatments present challenges due to their strong toxic side effects and adverse reactions. Numerous studies have demonstrated that natural products derived from various plants possess therapeutic and preventive properties against cancer. These phytochemicals have been extensively investigated as a potential alternative to conventional chemotherapy drugs, owing to their safety and efficacy. This article provides a comprehensive review of the recent advances in the chemoprevention and mechanisms of phytochemicals against the four major female cancers. The focus will be on how these phytochemicals regulate cancer cell proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, and metastasis to impede cancer progression. Given their extensive clinical applications, phytochemicals hold great promise in the field of cancer treatment. It hopes that this review will inspire more researchers to explore the potential of these natural compounds in combating female cancers.
