Plant-Derived Bioactives in Precision Oncology: Emerging Molecular Targets, Tumor Microenvironment Modulation and Translational Opportunities

Authors

  • Kavita Narayan Gaisamudre (Sarwade) Assistant Professor, Department of Botany, Shriman Bhausaheb Zadbuke Mahavidyalaya, Barshi Tal. Barshi, Solapur, 413401, Maharashtra, INDIA.
  • Prakash Pralhad Sarwade Associate Professor and Head, Department of Botany, Shikshan Maharshi Guruvarya R. G. Shinde Mahavidyalaya, Paranda Dist. Dharashiv (Osmanabad) 413502, Maharashtra, INDIA.
  • Ashwini P. Department of Pharmacology, Tamilnadu Dr. MGR Medical University, 69, Anna Salai, Little Mount, Guindy, Chennai-600032, INDIA.
  • Kalpana Sonwani Head Department of Pharmacy, GSRM Memorial College of Pharmacy, Lucknow, Mohan Road, Bhadoi, INDIA.
  • Nuri Farzina Rahman Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Assistant Professor, The Assam Kaziranga University, Assam, INDIA.
  • Ayush Kamlakar Gaikar Department of Pharmacy, Bombay Institute of Pharmacy & Research, Next to Lodha Panacea, Near Jain Temple, Bhadra Nagar, Dombivli East 421203 Maharashtra, INDIA.
  • Ruchita Sharma GRY Institute of Pharmacy Borawan, Dist-Khargone, Madhya Pradesh, INDIA.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55544/jrasb.5.4.17

Keywords:

Precision oncology, Plant-derived bioactives, Tumor microenvironment, Phytochemicals, Molecular targets

Abstract

The advantages of the bioactives derived from plants for precision oncology include structural diversity, multipurpose pharmacology, and the modulation of tumor development and therapeutic resistance. This review discusses key classes of anticancer phytochemicals highlighting their molecular and translational implications, such as polyphenols, flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, triterpenoids, quinones, organosulfur compounds, saponins and lignans. Their activity is focused on oncogenic pathways like PI3K/AKT/mTOR, MAPK/ERK, JAK/STAT, NF-κB, and Wnt/β-catenin pathways. Their involvement in regulating apoptosis, cell-cycle arrest, autophagy, ferroptosis, pyroptosis, redox homeostasis and DNA-damage response is also discussed. Moreover, the compounds derived from plants could alter the characteristics of the tumor microenvironment by impacting cancer-associated fibroblasts, tumor-associated macrophages, myeloid-derived suppressor cells, regulatory T cells, tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and natural killer cells. Combination of multi-omics, AI, network pharmacology, biomarker discovery, and advanced drug-delivery systems could help to select and clinically use phytochemicals more accurately. Although there is promising pre-clinical data, issues with bioavailability, standardization, pharmacokinetics, safety, and clinical validation are still to be addressed. Moving forward, strategies based on biomarkers are needed as well as carefully designed translational studies.

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Published

2026-08-31

How to Cite

Gaisamudre (Sarwade), K. N., Sarwade, P. P., P., A., Sonwani, K., Rahman, N. F., Gaikar, A. K., & Sharma, R. (2026). Plant-Derived Bioactives in Precision Oncology: Emerging Molecular Targets, Tumor Microenvironment Modulation and Translational Opportunities. Journal for Research in Applied Sciences and Biotechnology, 5(4), 148–163. https://doi.org/10.55544/jrasb.5.4.17

Issue

Vol. 5 No. 4 (2026): August Issue

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Copyright (c) 2026 Kavita Narayan Gaisamudre (Sarwade), Prakash Pralhad Sarwade, Ashwini P., Kalpana Sonwani, Nuri Farzina Rahman, Ayush Kamlakar Gaikar, Ruchita Sharma

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