Dietary Phytochemicals as a Potential Source for Targeting Cancer Stem Cells

Abstract

The tumor microenvironment is composed of various types of cells that lead to tumor heterogeneity. In the middle of these populations, cancer stem cells play a vital role in the initiation and progression of cancer cells and are capable of self-renewal and differentiation processes. These cancer stem cells are resistant to conventional therapy such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy. To eradicate the cancer stem cells in the tumor environment, various natural product has been found in recent years. In this review, we have selected some of the natural products based on anticancer potential including targeting cancer cells and cancer stem cells. Further, this review explains the molecular mechanism of action of these natural products in various cancer stem cells. Therefore, targeting a multi-drug resistant cancer stem cell by natural products is a novel method to reduce drug resistance and adverse effect during conventional therapy.

Keywords:

• Natural products
• cancer stem cells
• cancer
• molecular pathways

Acknowledgements

Dr. Prasath Manogaran gratefully acknowledges the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Govt of India, New Delhi, for financial support in terms of Research Associate (File No.2017-3490/SCR-BMS).

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).