Vidjeyamannane Canivizhi, Joy Alan, Prakash Kishore, Saravanakumar Rupachandra
Department of Biotechnology, School of Bioengineering, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Tamil Nadu, 603 203, India.
Med Oncol. 2025 Aug 9;42(9):420. doi: 10.1007/s12032-025-02985-x.
Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) are essential in inducing cancer cell death through the promotion of oxidative stress, DNA damage, and the disturbance of cellular homeostasis. Natural bioactive chemicals sourced from plants and other natural products are significant for their capacity to selectively regulate ROS levels and cause apoptosis in cancer cells while sparing normal cells. The study gives a thorough summary of the molecular mechanisms of ROS-induced apoptosis, including mitochondrial damage, pro-apoptotic pathway activation, and inhibition of anti-apoptotic proteins. The review focuses on several natural bioactive molecules, such as polyphenols, flavonoids, alkaloids, and terpenoids that have anticancer activity through ROS induction. The potential therapeutic application of the compounds in increasing the effectiveness of standard cancer therapies and reducing drug resistance is likewise discussed. In addition, the review discusses the challenge of clinical translation of these bioactive compounds with respect to bioavailability, stability, and site-specific delivery. In conclusion, this review highlights the promising potential of ROS-modulating bioactive compounds as a new therapeutic strategy for cancer treatment, with insights into their mechanistic action and therapeutic implications.
活性氧（ROS）通过促进氧化应激、DNA损伤和细胞内稳态紊乱在诱导癌细胞死亡中起着至关重要的作用。源自植物和其他天然产物的天然生物活性化学物质因其选择性调节ROS水平并导致癌细胞凋亡而不损伤正常细胞的能力而具有重要意义。该研究全面总结了ROS诱导细胞凋亡的分子机制，包括线粒体损伤、促凋亡途径激活和抗凋亡蛋白的抑制。该综述重点关注了几种通过诱导ROS具有抗癌活性的天然生物活性分子，如多酚、黄酮类化合物、生物碱和萜类化合物。同样讨论了这些化合物在提高标准癌症治疗效果和降低耐药性方面的潜在治疗应用。此外，该综述还讨论了这些生物活性化合物在临床转化方面在生物利用度、稳定性和位点特异性递送方面面临的挑战。总之，本综述强调了调节ROS的生物活性化合物作为一种新的癌症治疗策略的广阔前景，并深入探讨了其作用机制和治疗意义。
