Mechanistic insights into polyphenolic constituents from traditional Chinese medicines in inhibiting colorectal cancer metastasis

Abstract Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most predominant cancer caused by genetic, environmental and nutritional factors and is the world’s second most significant cause of cancer-related mortality. During the process of tumor metastasis, firstly, cancer cell increases its proliferative capacity by reducing autophagy and apoptosis, and then the cancer cell capacity is stimulated by increasing the ability of tumors to absorb nutrients from the outside through angiogenesis. Both of the two steps can increase tumor migration and invasion. Finally, the purpose of tumor metastasis is achieved. By inducing autophagy and apoptosis of tumor cells, blocking the angiogenesis and inhibiting EMT outside the tumor can reduce the invasion and migration of cancer, and consequently achieve the purpose of inhibiting tumor metastasis. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has the characteristics of multiple targets, slight side effects and good therapeutic effects. Research of the anticancer effect of Polyphenolic in TCM has made considerable progress in recent years. This review explores the research achievements of Polyphenolic in TCM on CRC metastasis in the past ten years, summarizes the development direction of Polyphenolic in TCM on CRC metastasis research in the past ten years and makes a prospect for the future. Graphical Abstract