Potential of Nano-Phytochemicals in Cervical Cancer Therapy
February 2020
in “
Clinica chimica acta
”
TLDR Nano-sized plant-based chemicals could improve cervical cancer treatment by being more effective and causing fewer side effects than current methods.
The document from June 1, 2020, discusses the limitations of conventional cervical cancer treatments, such as surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, which have a high recurrence rate of 35% and cause numerous side effects like toxicity, hair loss, and multidrug resistance. It highlights the potential of phytochemicals in preventing cancer development by interacting with carcinogenesis stages and modulating tumor signaling pathways. Specifically, polyphenols are noted as promising agents against cervical cancer. However, the use of phytochemicals is restricted by their low oral bioavailability and the need for high doses. The review emphasizes the advantages of nano-sized phytochemicals (NPCs), which require smaller quantities, thus reducing treatment costs. NPCs like quercetin, lycopene, curcumin, and green tea polyphenols have been successfully used in nano-chemoprevention and nano-chemotherapy due to their high biocompatibility, biodegradability, and stability. Nanoparticles improve drug specificity, absorption rates, and reduce drug degradation and systemic toxicity, offering a significant improvement over traditional chemotherapy in cervical cancer therapy.
