Phytochemicals as Potent Therapeutic Molecules in Cancer Treatment in Relation to Sustainable Agriculture System

Phytochemicals are a vital group of chemical substances found in fruits, vegetables, and grains having the therapeutic potential to cure a range of disorders and diseases for thousands of years, including cancer. Cancer is defined as the abnormal growth of cells in any tissue, which can result in life-threatening malignancies and a substantial financial burden on patients as well as the healthcare system. The enhancement in the knowledge of molecular approaches underlying the progression of cancer has led to the discovery and development of a large number of anticancer drugs. However, there are limitations to utilizing chemically synthesized drugs to some extent. As from the past decades, the overall survival rate has not been significantly improved, and hence novel strategies are required to improve cancer therapeutics efficiency. Naturally occurring compounds derived from plants such as vinca alkaloids (vinblastine, vincristine), podophyllotoxin analogs and taxol analogs known as phytochemicals, serves as an important resource for novel therapy against cancer. Phytochemical biomodulatory activities reduce cancer cell proliferation, progression, and resistance to chemotherapy. They are used in phytotherapy, a medical science in which plant extracts or phytochemicals are used to cure diseases or enhance health. Phytochemicals exhibit tumor-suppressive properties and mediate antitumor action in several ways. They target dysfunctionally expressed molecular factors, alleviate oxidative stress, control cell growth factors, limit angiogenesis in malignant tissue, and trigger cell death mechanisms, i.e., apoptosis and autophagy in rapidly dividing cells. Although recent discoveries in the medical sciences have improved results in cancer patients, the development of a novel therapeutic regime against cancer is still needed. The use of phytochemicals alone or as synergistic agents is one novel regime that has shown promising results in recent years. The present chapter will give a brief and updated idea about various classes of Phytochemicals, their active compounds, and their molecular targets, along with their mechanism of action as a therapeutic target against cancer. Further, the chapter will also focus on applications, advantages, limitations, and future scope of utilizing these phytochemicals as therapeutic agents.