Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Cancer is a versatile disease with a high rate of relapse and mortality. Despite the presence of various treatment modalities, there is a serious need for the development of its management. Phytochemicals, which are abundant in nature, can be turned into novel medications for these types of diseases by optimizing their functions and structures. Therefore, a thorough understanding of traditional medicine and medicinal plants may lead to the discovery of new and affordable medicines. Many studies have shown that a variety of medicinal plants and nutraceuticals derived from different natural resources, along with their byproducts, such as flavones, flavonoids, antioxidants, and major polyphenolic constituents, offer significant protection against a wide range of cancers. These dietary compounds may function as chemopreventive agents, as they have been shown to possess an inhibitory effect on cancer cells. METHODOLOGY: A comprehensive literature review was conducted to identify medicinal plants traditionally used for their anticancer properties. Studies presenting molecular evidence for the mechanisms of action of these plants were critically analyzed and selected for inclusion. RESULTS: Our analysis of the available research data on ethnic medicinal plants revealed that they affect selective pathways, such as the cell cycle, proliferation, apoptosis, metastasis, angiogenesis, and phagocytosis, leading to tumor-static and cell death of cancer cells. CONCLUSION: A wide range of traditional plants have been utilized for the treatment of different diseases, including cancer. Despite the presence of various anticancer medicinal plants, only a few have advanced beyond the laboratory and are used clinically. This is primarily due to the lack of knowledge regarding their mode of action at the molecular level. By understanding the molecular mechanisms, these traditionally used medicines can be translated into drugs and used to manage diseases such as cancer.