Therapeutical potential of natural products in treatment of pancreatic cancer: a review.

Abstract

Pancreatic cancer remains as global health challenge, ranking as the seventh leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide with high mortality rates and a low five-year survival rate. Despite advancements in conventional therapies, including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, the overall survival rates for pancreatic cancer patients have shown minimal improvement. Consequently, there is an urgent need for alternative therapeutic strategies. The search for effective treatments has increasingly turned towards natural products, which offer a diverse array of bioactive compounds with potential anticancer properties. All the natural products, derived from plants, marine organisms, and microorganisms, have emerged as promising candidates in cancer treatment. The review explores the potential role of various natural compounds such as polyphenols, alkaloids, terpenoids, and flavonoids in pancreatic cancer management. With over 60% of cancer medications in clinical trials having natural origins, the review underscores the importance of exploring these compounds for their chemopreventive potential. It covers the epidemiological, molecular pathways influenced by these natural products (such as apoptosis, cell cycle regulation and signaling pathways) and therapeutic aspects aims to contribute to the ongoing efforts in understanding and addressing the complexities of pancreatic cancer. Overall, this review highlights the urgency of developing novel therapeutic strategies and incorporating natural compounds into current treatment modalities to improve outcomes for pancreatic cancer patients.