Plant-Derived Compounds for Chemoprevention and Chemotherapy: From Molecular Mechanisms to Clinical Trials

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Cancer is still a disease that many people fear. Cancer patients frequently have side effects from chemo- and radiotherapy that lower their quality of life and may force them to stop receiving their treatment. For centuries, people have employed natural products, particularly plants, to heal a wide range of illnesses. Powerful bioactive compounds that are produced from plants can be employed as medications. The uniqueness and potency of anticancer therapeutic medicines originating from plants are now being explored in research studies. Using sophisticated analytical techniques, the healthcare industry is attempting to comprehend the physio-chemical characteristics of these plant derived compounds and their contributions to the treatment of cancer. Some of these compounds are thought to be candidates for use as chemopreventive medicines and may even be combined with traditional chemotherapy in certain circumstances. The purpose of this book chapter is to highlight important plant derived compounds, their properties, mechanism of action and ongoing clinical trials for cancer prevention and treatment. The suitability and lethality of medicinal and herbal plants are a subject of considerable debate despite their many powerful benefits. Here, we discuss advantages, limitations and current status of recruiting plant derived compounds as chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic drugs.