Exploring Medicinal Plants for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Therapy: A Mini Review

Abstract

The liver is a vital organ involved in numerous physiological processes, including metabolism and the detoxification of xenobiotics. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common type of primary liver cancer, ranks as the fifth most prevalent malignancy worldwide and is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Traditional herbal medicine has long been employed in managing liver diseases, including HCC, offering a complementary approach to modern therapies. Natural compounds derived from medicinal plants have shown potential in mitigating the adverse effects associated with conventional chemotherapeutic agents. Despite the promising in vitro and in vivo anticancer properties demonstrated by several plant-derived compounds, many have yet to be thoroughly validated for their therapeutic efficacy and mechanisms of action. Recent studies have sparked growing interest among oncologists in bioactive phytochemicals as prospective anticancer agents. Some clinical trials in the 21st century have substantiated the role of specific medicinal plants in liver cancer treatment, while ongoing fundamental research continues to elucidate their molecular pathways. This review aims to summarize current findings on medicinal plants exhibiting anticancer activity against HCC, focusing on their bioactive constituents, mechanisms of action, and potential for future drug development.