An Overview of Essential Oil Anticancer Activity

Abstract

Cancer is considered a complex set of diseases, characterized by the spread of abnormal cells, with high heterogeneity and multiple molecular alterations. Such alterations assign the beginning of carcinogenesis and lead cells to express specific marks, which enable increased proliferation, modification of the surrounding environment, invasion of tissue barriers, migration to other locations, and resistance to normal defense restrictions of the body. In this context, cancer is essentially a genetic-related disease in which cells accumulate several modifications in key genes, achieving an altered behavior and forming the tumor mass. To treat cancer, there are several alternatives that involve hormonal therapies, immunotherapy, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgical intervention, and the use of drugs for more complex treatments. Therefore, in this chapter, we will address several aspects related to cancer, such as screening for its search and diagnosis, possible treatments based on the origin and stage of cancer, and even the most recent advances in the use of essential oils in initial studies against in vivo and in vitro cells.