Therapeutic Implications of Phytochemicals in ROS-Induced Cancer

Abstract

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) stimulate carcinogenesis by prompting genetic transformations, triggering oncogenes, hovering oxidative stress, and stimulating cell propagation. Cancer cells exhibit redox disproportion due to augmented ROS level as compared to regular healthy cells. Such exceptional variations in cancer cells may, therefore, be subjugated for targeted rehabilitation. Since the last three decades, phytochemicals have fascinated to be considered as probable cancer treatments due to their capability to conserve cellular redox balance with inconsequential toxicity. Numerous phytochemicals have been documented as bio-active ingredients in different plants to defeat advancement and expansion of tumors and cancer. They employ extensive and multifaceted engagements on nuclear and cytosolic features in cancer cell and selectively destroy rapidly multiplying cells. Antioxidants target unusually articulated molecular dynamics, maintain equilibrium in oxidative stress, restrain cell progression aspects, prevent angiogenesis in cancer muscle, and promote apoptosis. They have the ability to captivate ROS or stimulate antioxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase, glutathione, and catalase. Polyphenols particularly flavonoids and their derivatives, glucosinolates, thiocyanates, phytoesterogens, carotenoids, have antioxidant properties, detoxifying ROS, induce apoptosis, and act as anticancer. The exact molecular mechanism of phenolic phytochemicals to accomplish anticancer roles is of prominent significance. Present evaluation focuses on various phytochemicals as a source of natural antioxidants and their role in cancer chemoprevention.