The majority of pharmaceutical progresses rely upon nutraceuticals for development of new phytochemical agents with therapeutic values [ 14].
However, such phytochemicals have multifarious effects, including pro-estrogenic activity and possible genotoxicity [ 52– 54]; thus, both the potentially beneficial and potentially harmful effects of phytochemicals on cancer development must be considered together.
The African continent holds an enormous resource in terms of floral biodiversity and its medicinal plants have remained a main reservoir of phytochemicals for pharmaceutical drug development [ 1, 2].
Note: "+" = present; "-" = absent Plants produce diverse arrays of phytochemicals which are useful in the development of new drugs.
They suggested that high-throughput screening methods, rational modification, and developments in regulatory policies would accelerate the development of novel therapeutics based on phytochemical compounds, which would likely improve overall survival and quality of life for patients with gynecologic cancers.
On the other hand, recent studies have demonstrated that certain types of phytochemicals such as curcumin and -epigallocatechin gallate inhibit the development of obesity-related colorectal carcinogenesis in mice by attenuating chronic inflammation [ 11, 12].
Broccoli added to green tea resulted in a combination of phytochemicals with antitumoral activity with potential for further developments in mechanistic models and the design of novel foods.
The development of a regimen consisting of a phytochemical with chemopreventive activity combined with celecoxib would be highly desirable for the treatment of cancer, which will reduce the dose of celecoxib and may minimize dose-related cardiovascular side effects.
Antibacterial activity is linked to factors such as the presence of phytochemicals, which derive from plants visited by bees.
But few may know that fruits and vegetables containing anthocyanins, a subset of phytochemicals, may be the most healthful things you can eat.
