Phytonutraceuticals in Cancer Prevention and Therapeutics

Abstract

Background: Urbanization has led to numerous health tribulations globally, and cancer is the most devastating among them. Phytochemicals have been utilized as bioactive compounds/ nutrients prominently as antioxidants and revitalizing agents and found to have notable health benefits. Objectives: The nutritional constituents of plants have intensively been investigated to appraise their healthiness and effectiveness in cancer. Food supplements like nutraceuticals have an important role in health and provide essential molecules required for different metabolic processes, which regulate body functions and protect the body from diseases. Methods: Numerous attempts and substantial studies have been escalated by many researchers. These studies have explained that dietary patterns and restrictions are the most important cardinal stride and determinant of many dreadful diseases like cancer. This review article focuses on the exploration of the clinical significance of phytochemicals in cancer therapy. Results: The phytochemicals from various plant parts having the potential to prevent cancer as well as serve as effective anti-cancer agents have been summarized in terms of their components, such as carotenoids, flavonoids, alkaloids, organosulphur compounds etc., along with the targets on which they act, sources from where they can be obtained, and their screening procedure. Significant interest has been received in nutraceuticals because of nutritional benefits, safety and preventive as well as therapeutic perspectives. Conclusions: Phytonutraceuticals, as current drug delivery for cancer, have been utilized as an option for modern medicines. Ultimately, they ensure health improvement, and this review focuses on an overview of current nutraceuticals and nano-based delivery systems, which may be helpful in focusing on further groundbreaking research plans in the new domain.