Exploring Plant-Derived Bioactive Compounds with Anti-Inflammatory and Anticancer Properties

Abstract

Chronic inflammation contributes to genomic instability, establishing a critical connection between inflammation and cancer development. As a result, targeting key inflammatory pathways has become a promising therapeutic strategy for preventing carcinogenesis. Plant-derived bioactive compounds, such as flavonoids, polyphenols, and terpenoids, exhibit diverse biological activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-proliferative, anti-cancer, anti-angiogenic, anti-microbial, and anti-viral effects. These phytochemicals are known to suppress the production of Nitric Oxide (NO), a major inflammatory mediator, as well as pro-inflammatory cytokines such as Interleukin-1 Beta (IL-1β), Tumour Necrosis Factor-Alpha (TNF-α), and Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). Key dietary sources of these compounds include red wine, dark chocolate, tea, olive oil, and the outer layers of various fruits (e.g., apples, grapes, citrus fruits, cranberries, strawberries, raspberries) and vegetables (e.g., onions, lettuce, tomatoes, asparagus, cabbage, artichokes, celery). Recent research has highlighted that these natural compounds not only suppress inflammatory responses but also promote apoptosis, inhibit cell proliferation, and regulate pivotal molecular pathways involved in tumour progression. This review examines the combined anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer effects of selected phytochemicals, highlighting their potential role in future therapeutic approaches for malignancies driven by inflammation.

Keywords:Plant-derived bioactive compounds; Anti-inflammatory agents; Anticancer activity; Phytochemicals; Polyphenols; Flavonoids; Terpenoids