The Therapeutic Potential of Withania somnifera in Breast Cancer: A Comprehensive Review

In this review the inhibitory effect of Withania Somnifera against breast cancer and its mechanism of action is elaborately discussed.

Breast cancer (BC) remains a major health concern worldwide and despite advances in treatment, the prognosis for advanced-stage BC remains poor. With the growing interest in complementary and alternative therapies, herbal supplements such as Withania somnifera (W. somnifera) have emerged as potential adjunctive therapies for BC. W. somnifera has been reported to possess anti-cancer properties, as they have the ability to inhibit tumor growth and induce cancer cell death, particularly in BC. Additionally, W. somnifera has been found to improve the efficacy of conventional chemotherapy and reduce chemotherapy-induced side effects in BC patients. Although the clinical evidence on the benefits of W. somnifera in BC patients is limited and inconclusive, the promising preclinical data support further investigation of its potential as a complementary therapy for BC patients. Future clinical trials with well-designed methodologies are necessary to evaluate the safety, efficacy, and optimal dosing of W. somnifera in BC patients, and to understand its underlying mechanisms of action.

Nonetheless, W. somnifera is a natural herbal supplement with promising anticancer properties that could be a valuable addition to current BC treatments.