Fahad Khan

Background: Natural compounds remain a vital reservoir of novel drug candidates because of their structural diversity and therapeutic potential for managing cancer and drug-resistant infectious diseases. Attention has increasingly focused on medicinal plants and related natural sources for preventing and treating various human cancers. Cervical cancer represents the fourth most frequently diagnosed malignancy among women worldwide. The therapeutic effectiveness of natural products in cervical cancer may be further enhanced by precisely targeting key molecular pathways involved in disease progression. Methods: This study used molecular docking and in vitro analyses to investigate the potential anticancer effects of Withania somnifera withanolides by inducing apoptosis in cervical cancer cells. Additionally, the pharmacokinetic behavior of selected compounds was predicted through Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion, and Toxicity (ADMET) and drug-likeness analyses. Results: The results showed strong binding affinity for the B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) family anti-apoptotic proteins, favorable ADMET properties, and selection of the more potent withanolide, withanolide A, for further analysis. In vitro evaluation revealed a dose- and time-dependent reduction in cell viability in withanolide A-treated CaSki cells, with significant induction of early and late apoptosis. Gene expression analysis showed dose-dependent downregulation of anti-apoptotic genes (Myeloid Cell Leukemia 1 (MCL-1), BCL2-like 10 (BCL2L10), BCL-2 and BCL2-like 1 (BCL2L1)), suggesting activation of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. Conclusion: The current study suggests that withanolide A may function as a promising apoptosis-inducing agent targeting Bcl-2 family proteins. Furthermore, in vivo validation and mechanistic studies are needed to support its development as a potential anti-cervical cancer therapeutic.

Chitin ranks as the second most abundant biopolymer on our planet, predominantly sourced from crustaceans such as prawns and crabs. Specific constraints imposed on crustacean‐derived chitin, including geographical restrictions, allergic issues, and environmental concerns, allow us to explore different sources and insects come to light as one of the predominant and sustainable sources of the said biopolymer due to their high biomass yield, mass reproduction, and low‐cost rearing. Despite this potential, there is limited commercialization of insect‐derived chitin and its by‐products and this is the major gap of the framework in the context of chitin availability, resource utilization, and applications. This review highlights the taxonomic order‐wise account of insect chitin characteristics, enlisting 70+ insect species and their applications in critical sectors including biomedical, pharmaceutical, agriculture, environmental management, food, cosmetics, and nanotechnology. Comparative trends suggest that the percentage yield of chitin, bioactive properties, and certain activities particularly vary across insect orders such as the highest yield is usually seen in orthopterans while dictyopteran‐derived chitin and subsequently chitosan reportedly show excellent antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. The taxonomic order and species‐wise analysis of insect‐derived chitin and their properties for target applications in various sectors can open new avenues for commercialization and circular bioeconomy. This paper underscores the potential of insect‐derived chitin to meet global biopolymer demands while promoting sustainable practices through an exploration of recent trends, advancements, and future opportunities.

Introduction: Breast cancer remains a major global health burden, underscoring the need for safer and more effective therapeutic strategies. Broccoli-derived bioactive compounds, particularly sulforaphane, exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, pro-apoptotic, and antiproliferative activities. However, their therapeutic translation may be limited by inadequate localization and systemic delivery. This study aimed to develop a broccoli extract-loaded hydrogel as a novel localized drug delivery platform for breast cancer therapy. Methods: The therapeutic efficacy of the broccoli extract-loaded hydrogel was evaluated in a DMBA-induced mammary tumor model using female BALB/c mice. Treatment-induced alterations in oxidative stress and antioxidant defense were assessed by quantifying malondialdehyde (MDA), nitrite, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione (GSH). Histopathological analyses of mammary gland and liver tissues were performed to further evaluate tumor-associated tissue alterations and treatment-mediated protection. Results and Discussion: Administration of the broccoli extract-loaded hydrogel markedly attenuated tumor-associated oxidative stress, as demonstrated by reduced MDA and nitrite levels, while restoring antioxidant defense through improved SOD and GSH status compared with untreated tumor-bearing controls. Histopathological findings further supported the protective effects of treatment, with improved tissue architecture in mammary gland and liver. The enhanced therapeutic response may be attributed to localized and sustained delivery of broccoli-derived phytochemicals from the hydrogel matrix, facilitating prolonged exposure at the target site while potentially limiting systemic toxicity. Collectively, these findings establish broccoli extract-loaded hydrogel as a promising natural, localized, and potentially safer therapeutic platform for breast cancer management and provide a foundation for further translational investigation.

Numerous plants are significant sources of bioactive chemicals with diverse therapeutic efficacy against numerous cancer types. Since ancient times, numerous plant types and their phytochemicals have been used for traditional and contemporary medicinal applications. Artepillin C (AC) is a biologically active phenolic component and prenylated derivative of p-coumaric acid of Brazilian green propolis (BGP), which is derived from Baccharis dracunculifolia (native to central and southeastern regions of Brazil). AC, the primary chemical marker of green propolis, is a key factor in its therapeutic efficacy. Several studies have substantiated its pharmacological activities, including neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, antitumor, gastroprotective, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and immunomodulatory effects. This review not only explains its anticancer potential but also explains its chemical properties, bioavailability, and production. Thus, we selected this compound for a thorough overview of its anticancer effects. A limited number of studies on this compound from the last 15 years have been synthesized from Science Direct, Medline, PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar search engines. Therefore, this review consolidates widespread research from 2010 to 2025 related to the pharmacological and anticancer efficacy of AC, which may potentiate its candidature as a potent anticancer drug for future research and therapeutic applications.

Despite the presence of numerous efficacious bioactive compounds, the development of effective cancer therapies remains necessary. Thus, the exploitation of the medicinal potential of bioactive compounds in cancer management has become an urgent demand. Arctigenin (AG), a natural lignin derived from Arctium lappa , not only suppresses the proliferation of diverse cancerous cells, including those in the liver, stomach, lungs, and colon, but also modulates various antitumor, intracellular, antioxidative, and anti-inflammatory activities. Arctigenin has also been shown to overcome tumor resistance via cell-cycle arrest, activation of apoptotic pathways, caspase activation, and proteasome regulation. It also downregulates numerous factors implicated in tumor migration and angiogenesis, including VEGF, matrix metalloproteinases, TGF-β, and N-cadherin. The restricted solubility of arctigenin in water indicates that modifying this compound through amino acid esterification may enhance its pharmacogenetic properties. The use of arctigenin or its derivatives may facilitate the development of novel chemotherapeutic strategies for future therapies. This review identifies common therapeutic targets and cancer-specific responses by comparing mechanistic insights across prostate, cervical, pharyngeal, and other carcinomas. Arctigenin is positioned as a viable option in anticancer research through a critical assessment of current limitations in preclinical and clinical research and by providing future perspectives on translational potential, drug development techniques, and combination therapies. Although there are publications that summarize the mechanism of action of arctigenin, none have explicitly elaborated on its anticancer mechanism across various carcinomas.

Ferroptosis is a specialized form of regulated cell death that is dependent on intracellular iron and is characterized by excessive lipid peroxidation, accumulation of lipid peroxides, and increased intracellular iron levels. This process is regulated through complex and tightly coordinated molecular mechanisms involving multiple signaling pathways and regulatory proteins, including key antioxidant defense components such as glutathione peroxide 4 (GPX4) and ferroptosis suppressor protein-1 (FSP-1). Increasing experimental evidences suggested that modulation of ferroptosis pathway might offer a potent target for breast cancer management, as ferroptosis dysregulation has been strongly associated with tumor invasion, progression, and drug resistance. Current cancer treatment strategies including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy have detrimental effects on cancer patients. Therefore, it is highly needed to focus on safe and effective therapeutics like natural compounds for cancer therapy. These compounds have shown the significance of ferroptosis-mediated cell death, thereby providing drug candidate for developing ferroptosis-inducing agents. Current research studies suggested that numerous plant-based compounds have strong anticancer potential via ferroptosis induction in breast carcinoma. However, these results are dependent upon preclinical experimentation and lacking validation of long-term clinical research. Thus, this review is designed to provide a mechanistic overview of plant-derived natural compounds by targeting ferroptosis pathway specifically in breast cancer. This could help the researchers working in medicinal chemistry field and pharmacology to better understand the mechanism of action of these compounds against breast carcinoma and provide an alternative approach to treat breast cancer.

Cancer, the second leading cause of death worldwide, has prompted extensive research to uncover its mechanisms and identify effective prognostic and therapeutic strategies. Deregulation of microRNAs (miRNAs) contributes to the abnormal activation of tumorigenic processes and repression of tumor-suppressive mechanisms across various cancer types. Plants biosynthesize a wide range of structurally diverse secondary metabolites with outstanding medicinal applications. Despite notable advancements in cancer therapeutics, the current anticancer drugs and treatment approaches have not achieved complete effectiveness. The literature indicates that alkaloids and their derivatives possess strong anticancer potential and have emerged as promising pharmacological agents. Numerous alkaloids screened from herbal (medicinal) sources have demonstrated significant antiproliferative and anticancer effects against several cancer types. Numerous anticancer drugs derived from alkaloids, including vindesine, vinblastine, vincristine, and vinorelbine, have been developed and are widely used in cancer therapeutics. Research has also shown that the alkaloid regulates miRNA expression, thereby inhibiting cancer cell invasion and migration, and leading to apoptosis induction. This review comprehensively evaluated the role of alkaloids in regulating miRNA expression and their downstream targets involved in cancer progression, metastasis, and chemoresistance in various carcinomas. We highlight how miRNAs function as key regulators and mediators of the anticancer mechanisms of these natural compounds. Furthermore, we have also summarized the potent role of different types of miRNAs in cancer progression and development.

Breast cancer is among the most prevalent cancers in women and leads to significant mortality worldwide. It remains a global health issue, affecting millions of women annually despite progress in diagnosis and treatment. Advanced-stage breast cancer often lacks effective treatments, and drug resistance commonly contributes to poor patient outcomes. This highlights an urgent need to develop new therapeutic alternatives that are more effective, less toxic, and more affordable. Many medicinal plants are rich sources of novel bioactive compounds, offering valuable sources for exploring antitumor potential. While these natural compounds have shown promise in preclinical studies, challenges related to stability, solubility and bioavailability have limited their clinical use. To overcome these limitations, poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimers have emerged as a leading type of nanocarrier. These nanoscale molecules which range in size (~1–100 nm) and configuration, offer a promising strategy for treating various cancers, including breast cancer. This review aims to critically examine the recent studies on the development of PAMAM dendrimers as carriers of natural compounds and evaluated their anticancer potential in preclinical models. Unlike previous reviews, this review uniquely summarizes PAMAM dendrimers for delivery of natural compounds specifically in breast cancer. It also highlighted key areas for future research and potential approaches to advancing PAMAM dendrimers as effective delivery systems for plant-based therapeutics.