Current trends in herbal medicines targeting to renal cell metabolic pathways in the treatment of cancer

Abstract

Introduction

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most common form of kidney cancer, accounting for approximately 85 % of all malignant kidney tumors. Despite advances in targeted therapies, such as tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and immune checkpoint inhibitors, the treatment of RCC remains challenging due to drug resistance, toxicity, and recurrence. These treatments, while effective initially, often lose efficacy over time and can lead to significant side effects, limiting their long-term use. Additionally, late-stage RCC is difficult to manage, and survival rates remain low for advanced cases. As the limitations of current treatments highlight the need for safer and more sustainable options, natural products have emerged as promising alternatives in RCC therapy.

Methods

For this article, authors used PubMed, PubMed Prime, Science direct, Medline, Scopus, and Google Scholar to obtain and screen the most recent literature on natural compounds having anti-renal-cancer characteristics. Therefore, the purpose of this review was to summarise the known phytochemistry and current state of the chosen plant species.

Results

Molecular mechanisms by which renal cell carcinoma evades the immune system are a topic of intense interest at the moment. Both basic and applied studies on RCC indicate that natural products have positive effects, such as inducing apoptosis, inhibiting tumour metabolism, motility, and active the progress of autophagy. One of the primary mechanisms is the inhibition of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway, which is crucial for tumor cell survival, proliferation, and metabolism. Compounds like curcumin and silibinin inhibit this pathway, leading to reduced cancer cell growth and increased apoptosis. Another significant mechanism is the induction of apoptosis through modulation of proteins such as Bcl-2, Bax, and caspases. Several phytoconstituents have demonstrated potential against kidney cancer. These include kahweol acetate, honokiol, englerin A, and epigallocatechin-3-gallate. As a result, natural products may be more useful in the fight against kidney cancer and RCC than was previously thought.

Discussion

The promising anticancer effects of natural products in RCC highlight their potential as adjunctive or alternative therapies to conventional treatments. Their ability to target multiple pathways, including apoptosis, angiogenesis, and metastasis, offers a comprehensive approach to cancer management while minimizing toxicity. However, further clinical research is necessary to establish their efficacy and safety in long-term use for RCC patients.