A Comprehensive Review On Medicinal Plants Targeting Breast Cancer Cells And Their Mechanisms Of Action

Abstract

This review focuses on medicinal plants with demonstrated anticancer activity against breast cancer cells. These plants exhibit a wide range of biological properties, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antitumorigenic, antimutagenic, antineoplastic, and antiproliferative effects, all of which play a crucial role in suppressing cancer cell growth. Several plants have also been shown to enhance the efficacy of conventional chemotherapeutic agents through synergistic interactions. For example, flaxseed exhibits synergistic effects with tamoxifen and trastuzumab; curcumin enhances the activity of paclitaxel and docetaxel; garlic shows synergism with tamoxifen and doxorubicin; and ginseng improves the effectiveness of paclitaxel, doxorubicin, and cisplatin. This review systematically discusses the medicinal plants, their pharmacological activities, chemical constituents, target cell and underlying mechanisms of action in breast cancer treatment.