Currently, the main treatments available for cancer include surgery,
biological therapy, radiation and chemotherapy. However, these treatments have strong
secondary effects on patients, which can prohibit their use. Therefore, the search for
alternative treatments is a current challenge for scientists. Several studies have
identified compounds from plants that exhibit biological properties compatible with the
desired activity of anti-neoplastic drugs. Natural products are thought to be more
compatible with the human body and cause fewer side effects. Furthermore, substances
present in fruits, vegetables and herbal essential oils have demonstrated important antiproliferative
activity, inducing cell and genomic changes favorable for cancer
prevention and therapy. Taking into account that the molecular mechanisms by which
natural compounds function to prevent cancer are not fully understood and that
molecular targets can be important tools for evaluating their effectiveness, this chapter
aims to present and discuss potential active compounds as possible anti-cancer agents.
Keywords: Apoptosis, Cancer, Cell cycle, Natural products.
