Synergistic Anticancer Effects of Vitamin D and Plant-Derived Compounds: Molecular Mechanisms, Therapeutic Potential, and Nanotechnology-Enabled Delivery Approaches

Vitamin D is widely recognized for its pivotal role in the prevention and treatment of various cancers. The active compounds derived from plants have garnered significant attention due to their multi-faceted anticancer properties. Given the complexity and heterogeneity of cancer, monotherapies often fall short in effectiveness. As a result, combinatorial pharmacological strategies, which utilize multiple drug agents, are increasingly being employed globally. Notably, emerging evidence highlights the potent synergistic anticancer effects of vitamin D in combination with certain phytochemicals against a variety of cancers. This review explores the cooperative mechanisms through which vitamin D and phytochemicals enhance cancer prevention and therapy. In addition to examining their synergistic effects, this review also discusses recent advancements in nanotechnology-based delivery systems for vitamin D, which hold promise for optimizing its therapeutic potential. Collectively, these findings underscore the potential of combining vitamin D with phytochemicals and innovative delivery methods as a promising strategy in the fight against cancer, paving the way for more effective, multi-targeted therapeutic approaches.