Unlocking the Power of Medicinal Plants: A Mini Review of Their Use in Combination Therapies for Cancer Treatment

Abstract

The growing global burden of cancer, with new cases and deaths annually, demands the exploration of advanced treatment strategies beyond conventional therapies. This mini-review highlights the potential of medicinal plants as an adjuncts in combination therapies to enhance the effectiveness of cancer treatments while mitigating drug resistance and side effects. The review synthesizes existing literature on various medicinal plants that demonstrate anticancer properties, elucidating their active compound, mechanisms of actions, and clinical applications. Additionally, it addresses the challenges associated with integrating these natural remedies into mainstream oncology, including issues of standardization, safety, and regulatory concerns. The discussion underscores the significance of understanding the multifaceted mechanisms of action of phytochemicals in targeting multiple cancer pathways, thus providing a promising path for developing more holistic cancer treatment strategies. Ultimately, this review targets to exploring the knowledge gap regarding the therapeutic roles of medicinal plants in combination therapies, advocating for further research for validations.