Role of natural compounds in preventing and treating breast cancer

Front Biosci (Schol Ed). 2020 Mar 1;12(1):137-160. doi: 10.2741/S544.

Abstract

Breast cancer (BrCa) is the most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related death in women. Alarming increases in the cases quests for more effective treatment of BrCa. As most chemotherapeutic drugs are associated with drug resistance, cancer relapse, and side effects, scientists are turning to agents with more efficacy, such as natural compounds for treatment and prevention of BrCa. Selected natural compounds, substances derived from living organisms, promote apoptosis and inhibit metastasis, preventing cancer growth. As a result, these compounds have the potential to suppress BrCa progression, thus increasing patient survival rates and decreasing the number of BrCa-related deaths. In this review, we summarize natural compounds that have displayed, anti-cancer effects on BrCa cells in various studies. These natural compounds inhibit the development of BrCa, suppress the growth of cancer cells, and promote cell death. We conclude that natural compounds are efficient, effective and promising agents for treating BrCa other than therapeutic methods.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Biological Products / pharmacology
  • Biological Products / therapeutic use*
  • Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology
  • Breast Neoplasms / prevention & control*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology
  • Plant Extracts / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Biological Products
  • Plant Extracts