Progress in the Study of the Effects and Mechanisms of Medicinal and Food Herbs and Their Active Ingredients on Colorectal Cancer

Abstract

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the fourth deadliest cancer in the world, with nearly 900,000 deaths annually. Although environmental and genetic factors as well as population aging are key in the pathogenesis of colorectal cancer, numerous studies have shown that dietary habits and nutrition may play both causal and protective roles in the development of colorectal cancer. "With the in-depth development and research of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), the anticolorectal cancer effects of "medicinal food and herbs" have been gradually explored, and have received widespread attention due to their safe and significant therapeutic and healthcare effects. This paper summarizes and discusses the effects and mechanisms of "medicinal food" herbs and their active ingredients in colorectal cancer. This review is intended to serve as a reference for future research on anticolorectal cancer ingredients from "medicinal and food" herbal sources as drugs or food supplements.