Introduction: Exploring the chemical diversity and molecular mechanisms of natural products continues to be an important research area for identifying novel promising therapeutic approaches for fighting cancer. This is a complex disease and poses important challenges, which require not only targeted interventions to improve chemotherapy efficacy and tolerability, but also adjuvant strategies to counteract chemoresistance development and relapses.
Areas covered: After a brief description of the recent literature on the anticancer potential of natural compounds, we searched for patents following the PRISMA guidelines, filtering the results published from 2019 onwards. In addition, some relevant publications from the overall scientific literature were also discussed.
Expert opinion: This review comprehensively covers and analyzes the most recent advances on the anticancer mechanism of licensed natural compounds and their chemical optimization. Patentability of natural compounds was discussed according to the recent legislation in the U.S.A. and Europe.
Keywords: Cancer; alkaloids; chalcones; flavonoids; lignans; phytocannabinoids; stilbenes; terpenes.