MEDICINAL PLANTS FROM INDIA AS PROSPECTS OF ANTICANCER DRUG SOURCES: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW

The incidence of cancer is steadily rising, making it one of the top causes of mortality in the world today. In many developing countries, including India, medicinal plants have been used to treat cancer and serve as an alternative to synthetic drugs known for their harmful side effects. The main objective of this review was to highlight the anticancer properties of 50 medicinal plants found in India. The review discussed the proposed anticancer pharmacological effects of these plants along with the specific bioactive compounds responsible for their anticancer effects. These plants have been found to inhibit various types of cancers such as prostate, lung,cervical,esophagus, skin,ovary, colon, blood, brain, breast,and kidney cancers. The molecular, physiological nature of cancer, stages of cancer proliferation and metastasis, different types of anticancer activity screening techniques and modern methods of cancer treatment were also discussed. Bioactive compounds identified in medicinal plants include polyphenols, flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins, triterpenes, tannins and quinones. Several major anticancer pharmacological effects have been attributed to these compounds, such as antiproliferative, cytotoxic, apoptotic, and antioxidant effects. Additionally, they have been found to induce cell cycle arrest, inhibit angiogenesis, and reduce cancer cell viability. In conclusion, the promising anticancer activity shown by the medicinal plants investigated in this study suggests that they have significant potential as a source of future readily available and affordable anticancer drugs in India. By exploring these natural alternatives, the adverse effects associated with synthetic drugs could be alleviated, offering new hope in the fight against cancer.