# Potential Anti-Tumorigenic Properties of Diverse Medicinal Plants against the Majority of Common Types of Cancer

**Authors:** Ghosoon Albahri, Adnan Badran, Zaher Abdel Baki, Mohamad Alame, Akram Hijazi, Anis Daou, Elias Baydoun

PMC · DOI: 10.3390/ph17050574 · 2024-04-30

## TL;DR

This paper reviews how various medicinal plants may help fight cancer by targeting key biological processes.

## Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of the anticancer potential of diverse medicinal plants and their bioactive components.

## Key findings

- Medicinal plants like Annona muricata and Curcuma longa show potential in inducing apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in cancer cells.
- Phytochemicals from these plants can modulate molecular pathways involved in cancer progression and carcinogen inactivation.
- The study highlights the availability and pharmacological activities of these plants against major cancer types.

## Abstract

Globally, cancer is one of the primary causes of both morbidity and mortality. To prevent cancer from getting worse, more targeted and efficient treatment plans must be developed immediately. Recent research has demonstrated the benefits of natural products for several illnesses, and these products have played a significant role in the development of novel treatments whose bioactive components serve as both chemotherapeutic and chemo-preventive agents. Phytochemicals are naturally occurring molecules obtained from plants that have potential applications in both cancer therapy and the development of new medications. These phytochemicals function by regulating the molecular pathways connected to the onset and progression of cancer. Among the specific methods are immune system control, inducing cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, preventing proliferation, raising antioxidant status, and inactivating carcinogens. A thorough literature review was conducted using Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, Google Patent, Patent Scope, and US Patent to obtain the data. To provide an overview of the anticancer effects of several medicinal plants, including Annona muricata, Arctium lappa, Arum palaestinum, Cannabis sativa, Catharanthus roseus, Curcuma longa, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Hibiscus, Kalanchoe blossfeldiana, Moringa oleifera, Nerium oleander, Silybum marianum, Taraxacum officinale, Urtica dioica, Withania somnifera L., their availability, classification, active components, pharmacological activities, signaling mechanisms, and potential side effects against the most common cancer types were explored.

## Linked entities

- **Diseases:** cancer (MONDO:0004992)
- **Species:** Annona muricata (taxon 13337), Arctium lappa (taxon 4217), Arum palaestinum (taxon 749969), Cannabis sativa (taxon 3483), Catharanthus roseus (taxon 4058), Curcuma longa (taxon 136217), Glycyrrhiza glabra (taxon 49827), Hibiscus (taxon 47605), Kalanchoe blossfeldiana (taxon 45339), Moringa oleifera (taxon 3735), Nerium oleander (taxon 63479), Silybum marianum (taxon 92921), Taraxacum officinale (taxon 50225), Urtica dioica (taxon 3501)

## Full-text entities

- **Diseases:** Cancer (MESH:D009369)
- **Species:** Arum palaestinum (black calla, species) [taxon 749969], Annona muricata (guanabana, species) [taxon 13337], Cannabis sativa (species) [taxon 3483], Curcuma longa (turmeric, species) [taxon 136217], Kalanchoe blossfeldiana (species) [taxon 45339], Catharanthus roseus (chatas, species) [taxon 4058], Hibiscus (rosemallows, genus) [taxon 47605], Glycyrrhiza glabra (species) [taxon 49827], Arctium lappa (great burdock, species) [taxon 4217], Silybum marianum (blessed milkthistle, species) [taxon 92921], Nerium oleander (common oleander, species) [taxon 63479], Moringa oleifera (horseradish tree, species) [taxon 3735], Taraxacum officinale (dandelion, species) [taxon 50225], Urtica dioica (great nettle, species) [taxon 3501]

## Figures

4 figures with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC11124340/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC11124340