PHYTOCHEMICALS AND ONCOLOGY: EXPLORING THE HEALING POTENTIAL OF PLANT NUTRACEUTICALS

Cancer has multiple pathophysiological components and is one of the worlds top cause of death. Particularly, it has been discovered that a number of factors contribute to the onset and advancement of cancer disease states, including genetic abnormalities, infection or inflammation, poor dietary practices, radiation exposure, stress at work and/or toxin consumption. Cancer may be prevented and treated with the use of neutraceuticals. Neutraceutical is any substance that may be considerd as food or part of food, which provides medical or health benefits, encompassing prevention and treatment of diseases. They come directly from food sources and give benefits beyond normal nutrition. Neutraceuticals in human health build a bridge between food and medicine. These helps in the fight against a number of the worlds most serious health issues, including diabetes, cholesterol, osteoporosis, cancer, obesity, cardiovascular diseases and arthritis. New research shows how important micronutrients are in regulating oxidative stress, which is a major cause of cancer in precancerous lesions such submucous fibrosis, leukoplakia and oral lichen planus. Neutraceuticals have been shown to have anticariogenic and potent antioxidant properties at the cellular level. This study focuses on the research on plant- derived nutraceuticals that are available globally, including lycopene, curcumin, resveratrol, sulforaphane, indole-3- carbinol, quercetin, astaxanthin and epigallocatechin-3-gallate. A number of naturally occurring bioactive substances have recently been shown to have anticancer qualities, meaning they can destroy malignant or altered cells without harming healthy cells. This impact arises when natural products are linked to traditional treatments, indicating that neutraceutical supplements could help anticancer therapy work. Although the use of nutraceuticals as an adjuvant in cancer treatment shows promise, careful, evidence-based implementation is necessary.