Apoptosis: Natural Product-Derived Small Molecules as Therapeutics

Apoptosis, a highly organized and fundamental process in cell biology, plays a pivotal role in maintaining tissue homeostasis, development, and the elimination of damaged, abnormal, or potentially harmful cells. This complex cellular phenomenon is characterized by a series of composed events that lead to a cell’s controlled and programmed death. Apart from the cellular stimuli, some other exogenous factors also induce apoptosis. Various natural products (NPs) have recently gathered considerable attention due to their potential effects in modulating apoptotic pathways, thus offering a promising avenue for developing novel therapeutic strategies. The NPs mainly include polyphenols, flavonoids, terpenoids, and alkaloids derived from various plants. The present chapter emphasizes the potentiality of the natural compounds via induction or inhibition of apoptosis. It summarizes the modulation of related cellular signaling pathways, including mitochondrial-dependent apoptotic pathways (involving p21 protein and proapoptotic members of Bcl-2 protein) and death receptor-mediated apoptotic pathway (tumor necrosis factor, TNF), which ultimately activate a cysteine protease family of proteolytic protein, caspases. The significance of NPs in apoptosis lays a sure foundation of valuable resources to combat cancer, inflammation, neurodegenerative, and cardiovascular disorders. Additionally, exploring natural compounds holds the potential for discovering novel agents with improved efficacy and reduced adverse effects.