Cancer remains one of the most formidable health challenges globally, and Nigeria is no exception to this trend, witnessing a steady rise in both incidence and mortality rates. Among the most prevalent types are breast, cervical, prostate, and liver cancers, posing increased burden on healthcare systems and necessitating novel approaches in treatment strategies. While conventional treatments such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy have made significant advances, their limitations, including toxicity and resistance, prompt urgent exploration of complementary and alternative therapies. Emerging research from Nigeria highlights the promising role of indigenous food plants, rich in bioactive phytochemicals, that may offer safer, more cost-effective adjuncts to cancer care.
Indigenous Nigerian plants have long been a cornerstone of traditional medicine, but their anticancer properties are only recently being systematically examined. Plants like Spondias mombin, Xanthosoma sagittifolium, Elaeis guineensis, and Allium cepa harbor a diverse array of compounds—flavonoids, phenolic acids, alkaloids, and terpenoids—that exert biological activities critical to countering cancer. The phytochemical complexity affords a multifaceted attack on malignant cells, addressing hallmarks such as unchecked proliferation, apoptosis evasion, angiogenesis, and sustained inflammation. These effects stem from molecular interactions within key signaling pathways responsible for cellular homeostasis and survival.
Spondias mombin, commonly known as the yellow mombin or hog plum, is notably abundant in carotenoids and quercetin, a bioflavonoid with potent anticancer capabilities. Quercetin is capable of inducing apoptosis—the programmed cell death often defective in cancer cells. It achieves this by modulating signaling cascades such as PI3K/Akt and MAPK pathways, which regulate cellular proliferation and survival. Furthermore, quercetin attenuates oxidative stress and inflammation, both pivotal in tumor initiation and progression. By disrupting these molecular networks, Spondias mombin demonstrates substantial therapeutic promise.
Xanthosoma sagittifolium, a staple tuberous vegetable, exerts anticancer effects particularly relevant to leukemia. Its extract promotes apoptosis and arrests the cell cycle, halting the propagation of malignant cells at critical checkpoints like G1/S and G2/M phases. This plant’s flavonoids and tannins regulate angiogenesis by targeting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), thereby stifling the tumor’s ability to establish a vascular network essential for growth and metastasis. The modulation of these cellular dynamics underscores its potential as a chemopreventive agent.
Elaeis guineensis, or the African oil palm, contains tocotrienols, a class of vitamin E compounds exhibiting pronounced antioxidant and anticancer activities. Tocotrienols mitigate oxidative damage inflicted by free radicals and facilitate apoptosis in oncogenic cells. Experimental breast cancer models have demonstrated that tocotrienols not only reduce cancer cell viability but also induce cell cycle arrest, which collectively impair tumor expansion. The distinctive molecular profile of tocotrienols makes Elaeis guineensis a valuable source for anticancer nutraceuticals.
Irvingia gabonensis, widely known as African mango, carries flavonoids and tannins with robust antioxidant properties. The seeds of this plant are rich in gallotannins, molecules shown to amplify immune responses and regulate metabolic pathways implicated in tumor progression. Irvingia’s compounds foster apoptosis in malignant cells while exerting immunomodulatory effects that enhance the host’s antitumor defenses. This dual action positions it as an intriguing candidate for adjunctive cancer therapy.
Allium cepa, or onion, has been deeply studied for its organosulfur compounds, flavonoids, and phenolic acids, which confer protective effects against cancer. These bioactives diminish oxidative stress, impede cellular proliferation, and trigger apoptosis. Additionally, onions influence the activity of detoxification enzymes and may help surmount multidrug resistance—a major hurdle in effective chemotherapy. Their immunostimulatory effects further complement their anticancer actions, suggesting onions’ dietary inclusion could support conventional therapy.
Blighia sapida, known as ackee, offers flavonoids and phenolic acids that inhibit cancer progression via disruption of critical signaling pathways such as ERK5, implicated in breast cancer. These compounds also serve as antioxidants, diminishing DNA damage resulting from reactive oxygen species (ROS). The possible suppression of oncogenic signaling highlights ackee’s potential utility in therapeutic regimens aimed at slowing tumor growth.
Dioscorea dumetorum, a yam species indigenous to Nigeria, contains diosgenin, an important steroidal saponin. Diosgenin inhibits tumor cell proliferation, induces apoptosis, and modulates pro-carcinogenic pathways including NF-κB and MAPK. Through its strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, this yam species may be integrated into cancer prevention strategies focused on reducing chronic inflammatory stimuli that favor malignancy.
Psidium guajava or guava leaves are a rich source of tannins, flavonoids, and phenolic acids with compelling anticancer activities. These compounds disrupt the DNA damage repair machinery of cancer cells and foster apoptosis, thereby limiting tumor expansion. The antioxidative and anti-inflammatory capacity helps to mitigate the oxidative microenvironment that encourages cancer development and progression.
Lastly, Talinum triangulare, widely known as waterleaf, is rich in quercetin and similar bioflavonoids which induce cancer cell apoptosis and counter oxidative stress. Beyond direct antitumor effects, waterleaf may augment immune surveillance mechanisms, thereby establishing a hostile environment for cancer survival and proliferation. Its incorporation into diets could, therefore, provide chemopreventive benefits.
These indigenous plants act on cancer cells through several convergent and complementary mechanisms. They induce apoptosis by activating pro-apoptotic proteins like Bax and suppressing anti-apoptotic factors such as Bcl-2. Induction of cell cycle arrest in key phases pauses cancer cell division, preventing rapid growth. Additionally, inhibition of angiogenesis restricts neovascularization needed for tumor sustenance and metastasis. Crucially, modulation of oxidative stress pathways reduces DNA damage and inflammation, both fundamental drivers in carcinogenesis.
While preclinical studies shed light on the anticancer potentials of these plants, translational research and clinical validation remain essential. Phytochemical profiles can vary widely depending on ecological conditions and cultivation methods, necessitating standardization of extracts for consistent therapeutic outcomes. Rigorous clinical trials are needed to evaluate safety, efficacy, optimal dosages, and potential herb-drug interactions, particularly given the complexity of combining these agents with conventional therapies.
Future research should prioritize the integration of traditional knowledge with modern pharmacological techniques. Advances in high-throughput screening and molecular docking could accelerate identification of active compounds and elucidate precise molecular targets. Moreover, public health initiatives should raise awareness among clinicians and patients about the benefits and limitations of plant-based adjunct therapies, potentially improving adherence and treatment outcomes.
The bioactive potential of Nigeria’s indigenous food plants represents an invaluable resource in the global fight against cancer. Harnessing this phytochemical diversity to develop complementary therapies could democratize cancer care by providing accessible, affordable, and culturally accepted options in resource-limited settings. Such integration promises not only to enhance therapeutic efficacy but also to reduce adverse effects associated with synthetic agents, ultimately contributing to a more holistic approach to oncology.
In conclusion, indigenous Nigerian plants offer a promising frontier for the development of novel anticancer agents. Their rich biochemical repertoire targets multiple oncogenic pathways, aligning with the complexity of cancer biology. The meticulous study of these plants could unveil new paradigms in cancer care, combining safety, efficacy, and cultural relevance. This holds transformative potential for regions like Nigeria where cancer incidence rises amidst limited healthcare resources, underscoring the importance of expanding research into these natural repositories.
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**Subject of Research:** Anticancer mechanisms of indigenous Nigerian food plants
**Article Title:** Anticancer Mechanisms of Indigenous Food Plants in Nigeria
**News Publication Date:** 26-Jan-2025
**Web References:** https://www.xiahepublishing.com/2835-6357/FIM-2024-00042
**References:** (Included in original study, as per Xia & He Publishing)
**Image Credits:** Google photo, credit Adeoye Bayo Olufunso
**Keywords:** alternative medicine for cancer care, anticancer properties of Nigerian plants, cancer incidence in Nigeria, cancer prevention through diet, herbal remedies for cancer, herbal therapy and cancer, indigenous food plants in Nigeria, indigenous Nigerian food sources, natural cancer remedies in Nigeria, phytochemicals in Nigerian foods, Spondias mombin health benefits, traditional medicine for cancer treatment
