Title:Exploring Cancer Therapeutics with Natural Products from African Medicinal Plants, Part I: Xanthones, Quinones, Steroids, Coumarins, Phenolics and other Classes of Compounds
Volume: 15
Issue: 9
Author(s): Conrad V. Simoben, Akachukwu Ibezim, Fidele Ntie-Kang, Justina N. Nwodo and Lydia L. Lifongo
Affiliation:
Keywords:
Africa, cancer, cytotoxic activities, medicinal plants, traditional medicine.
Abstract: Cancer is known to be the second most common disease-related cause of death among humans. In drug
discovery programs anti-cancer chemotherapy remains quite challenging due to issues related to resistance. Plants used in
traditional medicine are known to contribute significantly within a large proportion of the African population. A
survey of the literature has led to the identification of ~400 compounds from African medicinal plants, which have
shown anti-cancer, anti-proliferation, anti-tumor and/or cytotoxic activities, tested by in vitro and in vivo assays
(from mildly active to very active), mainly alkaloids, terpenoids, flavonoids, coumarins, phenolics, polyacetylates,
xanthones, quinones, steroids and lignans. The first part of this review series focuses on xanthones, quinones, steroids,
coumarins, phenolics and other compound classes, while part II is focused on alkaloids, terpenoids, flavonoids.
