Applications of Phytochemicals in Cancer Theraphy

Since cancer is still one of the main causes of illness and death worldwide, new, safer, and more effective treatment approaches are needed. Targeting several oncogenic pathways, including as apoptosis induction, angiogenesis inhibition, metastasis suppression, and immunological modulation, phytochemicals—bioactive substances derived from medicinal plants—have shown encouraging anticancer activities. Alkaloids (vincristine, camptothecin), flavonoids (quercetin, genistein), terpenoids (paclitaxel, artemisinin), and polyphenols (curcumin, resveratrol) are among the most researched phytochemicals. They have strong anticancer effects by inducing DNA damage, inhibiting survival signaling pathways (NF-κB, MAPK, PI3K/Akt), and modifying oxidative stress. Despite these encouraging therapeutic qualities, drug resistance, fast metabolism, and low bioavailability limit the clinical application of phytochemicals. The review suggests novel treatment approaches that combine the best features of conventional medical systems.