Abstract
Every cell within the body maintains homeostasis for the production of energy through mitochondrial oxidation. This homeostasis is disturbed by high metabolic activity, mutations in cellular organelles (mitochondria, lysosomes, and peroxisomes), and crosstalk with infiltrating immune cells. These changes increase the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that activates oncogenes or suppresses the tumor suppressor genes through disrupted signaling pathways. The conventional administered therapies against cancer have incomplete efficiency, usually followed by severe repercussions such as drug resistance and tumor relapse. Therefore, an alternative approach has been adopted to replace these therapeutic models in which phytochemicals supplementation increases the chemotherapeutic efficiency in the treatment of ROS-induced cancer. Since these compounds are employed because of their wide-scale bioavailability and their synergism, this demonstrates a gradual decrease in tumorigenesis. In this chapter, we have summarized the plant-derived natural compounds based on their active role in modulating oxidative stress and cancer. Also, this chapter describes ROS’s impact on inducing oxidative stress and its regulation through the body’s innate defenses. These defense mechanisms include modulation through various genes and proteins, which tend to curb the stress level through their antioxidant activity. Mainly, the chapter provides a specific therapeutic role of the natural compounds to regulate ROS. The natural compounds have been categorized based on their function in the classes such as polyphenols (flavonoids and nonflavonoids), other polyphenols (diarylheptanoid (curcumin), and vitamins), alkaloids, terpenoids, quinones, and miscellaneous compounds like essential oils, isothiocyanates, and minerals. The combinations of these phytochemicals can be used to regulate ROS’s level for cancer treatment.
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Raghav, P.K., Mann, Z., Krishnakumar, V., Mohanty, S. (2021). Therapeutic Effect of Natural Compounds in Targeting ROS-Induced Cancer. In: Chakraborti, S., Ray, B.K., Roychowdhury, S. (eds) Handbook of Oxidative Stress in Cancer: Mechanistic Aspects. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-4501-6_116-1
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