Well-Studied Plant Compounds in Cancer Research

Many plant-derived compounds (phytochemicals) have shown promise in preclinical cancer research — some even reaching early human trials. Below is a curated list of notable compounds, their potential mechanisms, and cancer-related findings from the literature.

🔶 Curcumin (Turmeric)

Mechanisms: Anti-inflammatory (inhibits NF-κB), antioxidant, induces apoptosis, inhibits angiogenesis and metastasis.
Cancer types studied: Breast, colon, prostate, pancreatic, multiple myeloma.
Notes: Low oral bioavailability unless taken with piperine (black pepper extract).

🟩 EGCG (Epigallocatechin gallate, Green Tea)

Mechanisms: Inhibits proliferation, angiogenesis, and metastasis; modulates epigenetics; can induce apoptosis.
Cancer types: Breast, prostate, lung, colon.
Notes: Best absorbed on an empty stomach but may cause nausea or GI discomfort; may also interfere with some chemotherapy drugs.

🟪 Quercetin

Mechanisms: Antioxidant, modulates cell signaling, inhibits glucose uptake in cancer cells, induces apoptosis.
Cancer types: Lung, prostate, breast, colon, leukemia.
Notes: Often stacked with bromelain or vitamin C to enhance absorption.

🔷 Resveratrol (Red Grapes, Berries)

Mechanisms: Antioxidant, modulates estrogen receptors, inhibits inflammation and angiogenesis.
Cancer types: Colon, prostate, breast, liver, melanoma.
Notes: Poor bioavailability; active metabolites may still have therapeutic effects.

🟨 Sulforaphane (Broccoli Sprouts)

Mechanisms: Activates Nrf2 pathway, induces phase II detox enzymes, inhibits HDAC (epigenetic modulation), promotes apoptosis.
Cancer types: Breast, prostate, colon, leukemia.
Notes: Strong synergy with myrosinase (from raw mustard or daikon) to activate it.

🔴 Artemisinin (Sweet Wormwood)

Mechanisms: Generates ROS in iron-rich cancer cells, inhibits angiogenesis, induces apoptosis.
Cancer types: Leukemia, breast, colon, lung.
Notes: Often pulsed to avoid resistance; synergistic with iron supplementation.

🟠 Berberine (Goldenseal, Barberry)

Mechanisms: AMPK activation, glucose metabolism inhibition, apoptosis induction, microbiome modulation.
Cancer types: Colon, breast, liver, glioblastoma.
Notes: Competes with metformin in metabolic protocols; may cause GI upset at high doses.

⚪ Boswellic Acids (Frankincense)

Mechanisms: Inhibits 5-LOX, reduces inflammation, suppresses tumor growth signals.
Cancer types: Brain tumors (especially glioblastoma), breast, colon.
Notes: Often used for brain edema and inflammation alongside standard care.

🟤 Honokiol (Magnolia Bark)

Mechanisms: Inhibits mTOR, induces apoptosis, crosses blood-brain barrier.
Cancer types: Brain, breast, lung, colon.
Notes: Emerging data for synergy with mitochondrial inhibitors.

⚫ Thymoquinone (Black Seed Oil)

Mechanisms: Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, apoptosis inducer, modulates immune response.
Cancer types: Pancreatic, breast, colon, prostate.
Notes: Potentiates effects of chemotherapy in some models.

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