Therapeutic Phytoconstituents-II

Cancer is among the most frightful disorders worldwide and an issue of major concern. Both developed and developing countries are facing enormous challenges to manage the paradigms related to cancer. Conventional treatment of cancer mainly includes surgery and chemotherapy, which takes a toll on the health and pocket of cancer patients. Chemotherapeutics generate several side effects and their efficiency is often challenged by chemo-resistance. Hence, finding a better treatment option is the need of the hour. Plants are being used in traditional medicine since time immemorial. Researchers have hence started investigating plant extracts and phytoconstituents for their anticancerous properties. The present chapter discusses a number of phytoconstituents and their role in altering one or more hallmarks of cancer in order to generate therapeutic effects in various types of cancer. Certain bioactive agents from plants show antiproliferative, anti-inflammatory and pro-apoptotic activities against cancer cells. Herein, five major hallmarks of cancer have been elaborated and explained how plant-derived constituents can be used to target them for chemoprevention and chemotherapeutic approaches. Also, to enhance the efficacy of currently available phytochemicals, novel methods for improvement in extraction, synthesis, and administration are also briefly discussed. Finally, major anticancer phytoconstituents are summarized with their limitations, offering a broad spectrum of possibilities for scientists in this field, to develop novel methods for therapeutic regimens in cancer.