Plant-Derived Prooxidants as Potential Anticancer Therapeutics

Abstract

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are considered as a double-edged sword owing to its ability to initiate cancer progression along with its prevention. It has been proposed that low doses of ROS are mitogenic and promote cell proliferation, intermediate doses can cause temporary or permanent growth arrest, whereas higher doses conversely trigger a severe degree of redox imbalance that leads to cell death via apoptotic or necrotic mechanisms. Interestingly, several anticancer agents derived from natural plant products currently used in the treatment of hematological malignancies cause dysregulation of the cellular redox status. These pro-oxidants mediate their cytotoxicity by impacting on a wide range of signaling pathways that is generally mediated by apoptosis or autophagy. In this contribution, we aim to elaborate on the versatile role of ROS in tumor development, its ability to influence anticancer therapies, and elaborate on the idea that shifting the redox status of tumor cells toward a proinflammatory milieu via modulation of the associated signaling pathways could be an effective therapeutic modality.