Mechanistic insights and clinical perspectives on anticancer natural compounds from dietary polyphenols

In recent years, the therapeutic potential of plant-derived molecules has attracted growing scientific and clinical interest, largely due to their pivotal role in the development of chemotherapeutic agents, with approximately 74% of anticancer compounds being directly derived from or inspired by natural sources. Numerous published reviews have explored the pharmacological effects of these compounds; however, others have focused exclusively on the examination of one or two specific molecules that have advanced into clinical trials. Furthermore, the majority of available reviews tend to enumerate a multitude of compounds without providing a detailed analysis of the characteristics and features that enable certain plant-derived molecules to progress to the clinical phases. The objective of this review is to elucidate the mechanisms of action of 17 molecules derived from plants clinically tested have been shown to regulate critical cellular processes in cancer cells, including cell cycle arrest, autophagy, and endoplasmic reticulum stress. By emphasizing the common characteristics and distinct properties that confer clinical utility on these molecules, this work provides valuable insights into their translational potential. Additionally, this review also discusses the various drug delivery technologies that have been employed to several challenges that hinder their clinical effectiveness, including limited solubility, poor bioavailability, and low stability.