Anticancer Phytochemical-Based Nanoformulations: Therapeutic Intervention in Cancer Cell Lines

Phytochemicals have the potential to treat resistant cancer. They are delivered to the target site via nano-based carriers. Promising results are seen in preclinical and in vitro models, as phytochemical-based nanoformulations have im-proved cell cytotoxicity compared to single agents. They can synergistically inhibit cancer cell growth through p53 apoptosis in MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines. Moreover, synergic viability in reproducible glioma models at half inhibitory concentra-tions has been shown. Through caspase activation, phytochemical-based nanoformulations also increase cell death in 4T1 breast cancer cell lines. They have shown improved cytotoxicity at half inhibitory concentrations compared to single-agent drugs in cervical cancer. In terms of colorectal cancer, they have the potential to arrest cells in the S phase of the cell cycle and synergistically inhibit cell proliferation. In squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue, they inhibit protein kinase B (Akt)/ mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathways. This review reports on developments in the therapeutic management of various cancers using phytochemical-based nanoformulations, which have shown potential benefits in the clinical manage-ment of cancer patients, halting/slowing the progression of the disease and ameliorating chemotherapy-induced toxicities.

Automated summary

Phytochemical-based nanoformulations have the potential to treat drug-resistant cancer by delivering phytochemicals to the target site. They demonstrate improved cell cytotoxicity compared to single agents, synergistically inhibiting cancer cell growth through p53 apoptosis and increasing cell death. They also show promise in inhibiting cell proliferation and targeting protein kinase B (Akt)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathways. This review highlights the potential benefits of these nanoformulations in the clinical management of cancer patients, slowing disease progression and reducing chemotherapy-induced toxicities.