An Overview on Plants and Natural Products with Anti-Cancer Effects

Cancer is abnormal cell proliferation and uncontrolled cell growth. Carcinogenic agents cause DNA injury, depletion of tumor suppressor gene functions and it cause tumor forming and metastasis. Some carcinogenic agents related to cancer etiology are physical carcinogens such as ultra violet, chemical carcinogens such as chemical materials, cigarette smoke, unbalanced diet, job dependent factors, inheritance, hormones, metabolic factors and biologic agents especially some bacteria and viruses. Today’s most important treatment for cancer is chemotherapy that has many side effects and additionally cause to drug resistance. Some plants for years are known as reliable and excellent source of anticancer agents to develop anticancer drugs. Some of plants have preventive and therapeutic effects on cancer and some of them can decrease side effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy and additionally are economic. This article reviewed the most important anticancer natural substances in the world and introduced the most important mechanisms of their effect.

In traditional medicine of the most countries have known many natural substances for a variety of cancers. Some of the most commonly known traditional anticancer materials in the world are Chinese rabdosia, polyphenolic flavonoids such as quercetin, Baicalensis Scutellaria, garlic, curcumin, and so on. Anticancer drug mechanisms of the most of these substances are related to antioxidant properties and inhibit the growth of their tumor cells. Many of these materials are traditionally used in different parts of the world.