Plants as a source of anticancer agents

Abstract

An attempt has been made to review some medicinal plants used for the prevention and treatment of cancer. Plant derived compounds have played an important role in the development of several clinically useful anticancer agents. Several anticancer agents including taxol, vinblastine, vincristine and topotecan are in clinical use all over the world. A number of promising agents such as combrestatin, betulinic acid and silvesterol are in clinical or preclinical development.