Vernonia amygdalina Delile and cancer: a comprehensive review of its chemopreventive mechanisms and efficacy
摘要
Cancer, distinguished by the uncontrolled proliferation and spread of malignantly altered cells, poses a substantial worldwide health concern. The complex series of events in cancer progression entails intricate molecular and genetic changes occurring within specific cellular targets. Cancer chemoprevention has emerged as a crucial approach to alleviate the burden of cancer on healthcare systems. This strategy involves the utilization of pharmacologically natural molecules and active substances to impede, suppress, forestall, or reverse the progression of invasive cancer. Among these substances, Vernonia amygdalina Delile (VAD) demonstrated therapeutic properties. This review elicits the detailed potential of VAD in combating multiple cancers by targeting cancer pathways. VAD has demonstrated noteworthy preventive capabilities by inhibiting cellular growth, migration, and invasion of cancer cells, stimulating cell death, and regulating signaling routes associated with cancer initiation. Furthermore, the VAD's leaf extract has been identified to contain bioactive molecules that contribute to its cytotoxic, antioxidant, and anticancer activities. Despite progress in the exploration of VAD's chemopreventive attributes, there are shortcomings in both in vivo studies and individual molecular scrutiny. Future research efforts should emphasize in vivo experimentation and clinical trials while carefully delineating the signaling pathways involved.