Phytotherapeutics: The substitutes for Glioblastoma Multiforme

Abstract

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is classified as a grade IV brain tumors. It is a very aggressive, malignant, and lethal brain tumor having 10-15 months of median survival rate. Currently, chemotherapeutics used for treatment have limitations of low efficacy and toxicity which gets further compounded by development of chemoresistance. There is a need to explore alternative treatments for GBM to augment the existing chemotherapeutics presently in use. The plant- derived compounds through their alternate mechanism of action may have an emerging strategy to prevent brain tumor. It can be used as single compound or combined with standard chemotherapeutic. Phytochemical can help to augment the efficacy, reduce toxicity, and improve the prognosis. All across the world, a range of different types of medicinal plants exist; out of these numbers of medicinal plants have anticancer properties. It has been shown that some phytochemicals have anti-invasive, anti-angiogenic, antiproliferative, and pro-apoptotic effects under in vitro conditions, while there are far less clinical trials on phytotherapeutics to prove its efficacy. Thus, the aim of this chapter is to focus on plant-derived compounds which have anticancer properties (like curcumin, resveratrol, lycopene, gingerol, etc.) toward their effect on brain tumor and their future prospects. The development of novel therapeutics that can improve survival in patients with GBM is need of the hour.