The key role of natural products in the fight against endometrial Cancer

Abstract

Endometrial cancer (EC) is a common malignant disease in women, originating from the endometrial tissue. Over the past few decades, the global incidence rate of EC has gradually increased, and the affected population has become progressively younger. Traditional treatment methods, such as surgery and adjuvant therapy, have considerable toxic side effects. Furthermore, their therapeutic effectiveness is significantly very uncertain. Therefore, the search for a new type of treatment for EC is a top priority. Natural products are a class of compounds found in nature that have a wide range of biological functions; their derivatives have chemical structures that show great potential for developing new drugs. The latest studies have found that certain natural products, such as flavonoids, plant polyphenols, terpenoids and alkaloids, have inhibitory effects on EC cells in non-clinical models and animal studies. Despite challenges, including low extraction and bioavail ability, the potential of natural products for treating EC is still highly regarded by the scientific community. In the future, as research on natural products deepens and is combined with modern drug design and delivery technologies, it is hoped that more efficient and less toxic anti-cancer drugs will be developed, thereby offering EC patients more treatment options and hope. This article summarises the possible molecular mechanisms of various natural products and their bioactive components with regard to EC cells, as well as the latest research, to provide new ideas for further research and drug development.