Plant-Derived Bioactive Compounds and Their Therapeutic Potential in Cancer
- 1Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, 040 11 Košice, Slovakia
Abstract
Plant-derived bioactive compounds represent a major foundation of modern anticancer therapy and remain a prolific source of molecules with clinically relevant activity. This review provides an integrated classification of plant-derived anticancer compounds based on their clinical development status and predominant molecular mechanisms of action. Established chemotherapeutic agents, including taxanes, vinca alkaloids, and camptothecin derivatives, are distinguished from investigational phytochemicals such as polyphenols, flavonoids, terpenoids, and alkaloids that are under preclinical or clinical evaluation. These compounds target key hallmarks of cancer through modulation of microtubule dynamics, inhibition of topoisomerases, regulation of oncogenic signaling and epigenetic processes, and suppression of angiogenesis, invasion, and metastasis. Particular emphasis is placed on multitarget phytochemicals that interfere with PI3K/Akt, NF-κB, JAK/STAT, and MAPK pathways, induce apoptosis, and promote epigenetic reprogramming. In addition, major translational challenges, especially limited bioavailability, are discussed alongside advances in nano-enabled delivery systems designed to enhance therapeutic efficacy and reduce systemic toxicity. Collectively, this framework highlights the continuing relevance of plant-derived compounds in oncology and supports their rational integration into precision cancer therapy.
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BibTeX
@article{semelakova2026plantderived,
title = {{Plant-Derived Bioactive Compounds and Their Therapeutic Potential in Cancer}},
author = {Martina Šemeláková and Terézia Hudáková and Peter Solár and Jan Salagovic and Jozef Židzik},
journal = {International Journal of Molecular Sciences},
year = {2026},
month = may,
doi = {10.3390/ijms27104275},
url = {https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27104275},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Plant-Derived Bioactive Compounds and Their Therapeutic Potential in Cancer
AU - Martina Šemeláková
AU - Terézia Hudáková
AU - Peter Solár
AU - Jan Salagovic
AU - Jozef Židzik
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/05/11
JO - International Journal of Molecular Sciences
DO - 10.3390/ijms27104275
UR - https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27104275
AB - Plant-derived bioactive compounds represent a major foundation of modern anticancer therapy and remain a prolific source of molecules with clinically relevant activity. This review provides an integrated classification of plant-derived anticancer compounds based on their clinical development status and predominant molecular mechanisms of action. Established chemotherapeutic agents, including taxanes, vinca alkaloids, and camptothecin derivatives, are distinguished from investigational phytochemicals such as polyphenols, flavonoids, terpenoids, and alkaloids that are under preclinical or clinical evaluation. These compounds target key hallmarks of cancer through modulation of microtubule dynamics, inhibition of topoisomerases, regulation of oncogenic signaling and epigenetic processes, and suppression of angiogenesis, invasion, and metastasis. Particular emphasis is placed on multitarget phytochemicals that interfere with PI3K/Akt, NF-κB, JAK/STAT, and MAPK pathways, induce apoptosis, and promote epigenetic reprogramming. In addition, major translational challenges, especially limited bioavailability, are discussed alongside advances in nano-enabled delivery systems designed to enhance therapeutic efficacy and reduce systemic toxicity. Collectively, this framework highlights the continuing relevance of plant-derived compounds in oncology and supports their rational integration into precision cancer therapy.
SN - 1422-0067
SN - 1661-6596
ER -