Green Poison : A Sustainable Approach to Use Plant Toxin as an Anticancer Agent

The rising interest in plant-derived phytochemicals as cancer therapies has revealed numerous bio-active compounds with potent therapeutic potential. Compounds like vinca alkaloids, taxane , and berberine exhibit diverse biological activities, including anti-tumor, proving effective against various cancer types. Despite the toxicity of some medicinal plants, this feature can be harnessed for drug discovery, offering new treatments for cancer. Plant metabolites target tumor growth by inhibiting tumor-promoting enzymes, repairing DNA, and boosting immune responses. Compounds like vinblastine disrupt micro-tubule dynamics, while curcumin inhibits cancer cell proliferation. Toxic plant-derived metabolites, such as podophyllotoxin and camptothecin, demonstrate unique cancer-fighting mechanisms by targeting topoisomerases and inducing apoptosis. Integrating these phytochemical promise for advancing cancer prevention and treatment, offering more sustainable and effective options.