Therapeutic Potential of Alkaloids with Special Emphasis on Cancer: A Comprehensive Review.

Cancer has emerged as a formidable global health challenge, with treatment methods like chemotherapy and radiation often exacerbating the situation due to their associated side effects. Opting for natural sources like plants as a safer and environmentally friendly alternative seems promising. Historically, plants have served as valuable sources for treating diverse health conditions, attributable to their rich composition of therapeutic phytochemicals. Within this array of phytochemicals, alkaloids, especially those found in the plant family, are notably prominent. Alkaloids from plant family called alkaloids demonstrate noteworthy anti-tumour characteristics and exert a potent inhibitory influence on cancer cell proliferation. They trigger programmed cell death in cancerous cells through various molecular pathways, whether administered alone or combined with other medications. S alkaloids act upon cancer cells via multiple mechanisms, including apoptosis induction, suppression of cell growth and migration, as well as inhibition of angiogenesis. This review provides insights into the anti-cancer attributes of alkaloids found in various plant species, along with a brief overview of their other medicinal properties.