Shweta Mishra*, Jagriti Agarwal, Sandhya Singh and Aparna Sarkar
Poor diet is a major risk factor for cancer, which has become the world's second leading cause of death. As the world's population has aged, the likelihood of age-related chronic diseases such as cancer has increased. Hence, greater emphasis should be laid on reducing levels of smoking, improving diet, and increasing physical activities in the general population's health and the healthcare system. In ancient times, dietary agents derived from plants served as a source of scientific guidance; therefore, it is crucial to examine plant extracts for modern-day ailments as well. Consumption of fruits and vegetables as part of a healthy diet has been linked to cancer prevention. Both nutritive and non-nutritive phytoextracts are modulators of key cellular signaling pathways, resulting in anti-cancer effects. In some cases, extracts and in some, purified components i.e., bioactive compounds, exhibit effects such as cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, inhibition of proliferation and metastasis, and inhibition of angiogenesis. These active components show varying effects in different cancer cells. While some components may be extraordinarily efficient against a particular type of cancer, others may not be as beneficial. The focus of this review is on the bioactive components of specific plant-based foods that affect the development and spread of cancer by acting on pathways related to cell proliferation and metastasis. The underlying mechanisms of the bioactive components' actions as well as their effects on various types of cancer have been discussed.