Integrating Herbal Medicine in Melanoma Treatment: A Review of Phytochemicals as Potential Therapeutic Agents

Melanoma, an aggressive form of skin cancer, presents a significant challenge due to its high metastatic potential and resistance to conventional therapies. Recent research has explored the potential of plant-derived bioactive compounds as alternative or adjunct treatments for melanoma. The objective of the study was to systematically review medicinal plants with documented anti-melanoma properties, focusing on their bioactive compounds, mechanisms of action, and therapeutic potential. A systematic literature review was conducted following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, covering research published between 2000 and 2025. Data were extracted from PubMed, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, and ResearchGate using the keywords melanoma, herbal medicine, phytochemicals, anti-cancer plants, and bioactive compounds. Inclusion criteria comprised peer-reviewed journal articles, concept papers, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, clinical trials, and experimental studies, while non-English and incomplete articles were excluded. After screening 120 studies, 45 relevant articles were selected for detailed analysis. This review identified ten medicinal plants with potential anti-melanoma activity, including Curcuma longa (curcumin), Camellia sinensis (EGCG), Withania somnifera (withaferin A), Vitis vinifera (resveratrol), and Nigella sativa (thymoquinone), among others. These phytochemicals exert anti-melanoma effects through multiple mechanisms, including apoptosis induction, inhibition of angiogenesis, suppression of metastatic pathways, modulation of immune responses, and oxidative stress regulation. Many compounds target key signaling pathways such as NF-κB, PI3K/Akt, MAPK/ERK, JAK/STAT, and Wnt/β-catenin, which are involved in melanoma progression and drug resistance. It is concluded that herbal compounds exhibit multi-targeted anti-cancer properties, making them promising therapeutic agents for melanoma management. Their ability to modulate critical cancer pathways highlights their potential as adjuncts to existing melanoma treatments. However, further clinical trials and pharmacokinetic studies are required to validate their efficacy, bioavailability, and safety in human models. It can be suggested that integrating these natural compounds into modern oncology may provide a novel, complementary approach to melanoma therapy, potentially improving treatment outcomes and reducing side effects.