Exploring the Potential of Dietary Phytochemicals in Cancer Prevention: A Comprehensive Review

Abstract

Cancer is a significant global health issue and a primary cause of death. Extensive research has led to the development of various anticancer medications, driven by an improved knowledge and comprehension of the molecular pathways involved in cancer growth. However, there is a need for new approaches to enhance the effectiveness of existing cancer therapies. Dietary phytochemicals have gained increasing attention due to their potential role in tumor prevention. These bioactive compounds derived from plants exhibit a wide range of beneficial effects on human health, including their ability to inhibit carcinogenesis and promote anticancer activities. Examples of dietary phytochemicals with promising properties include vitamin D, vitamin E, lycopene, fisetin, genistein, epigallocatechin gallate, crocetin, curcumin, cyanidins, and gingerol. These compounds often exert their effects by regulating interconnected molecular pathways associated with cancer development and progression. Some of these pathways include the apoptosis pathway, cyclooxygenase-2 pathway, ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling pathway, DNA methylation-epigenetic pathway, Hedgehog signaling pathway, signal transducer and activator of transcription protein-3 pathway, tumor angiogenesis inhibition pathway, and Wnt pathway. This comprehensive review aims to summarize the current knowledge on the role of dietary phytochemicals in tumor prevention, highlighting their mechanisms of action and potential therapeutic applications.