Trees with Anticancer Activities

Abstract

Many trees are known to possess important anticancer compounds which include flavonoids and other phenolic compounds, glucosinolates, phytosterols, phytoestrogens, tannins, and protease inhibitors which interrupt with the mitotic activities of abnormal cells. More than 500 compounds belonging to 25 different classes are identified as anticarcinogens. This chapter describes anticancer properties of plants like Bauhinia variegata, Butea monosperma, Callistemon citrinus, Carica papaya, Chukrasia velutina, Cycas revoluta, Dillenia indica, Jasminum officinale, Plumeria rubra, Plumeria obtusa, Magnolia grandiflora, Schleichera oleosa, Sapium sebiferum, and Thuja occidentalis.