Abstract

BEYOND THE BENCH: THE PROMISE AND CHALLENGES OF STEROIDAL SAPONINS AS ANTI-CANCER AGENTS

Dnyaneshwari V. Chokhat* and Anita S. Patil

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Abstract

As cancer continues to exact a heavy toll globally, the demand for innovative treatments, free from the harsh side effects of standard chemotherapy, has become increasingly pressing. Although targeting the core "hallmarks of cancer" has shown therapeutic success, the quest for new agents remains critical. Plant-derived steroidal saponins, a class of secondary metabolites, are gaining attention as promising anticancer candidates due to their varied biological activities. Initial research suggests their capacity to effectively interfere with key cancer hallmarks. Nevertheless, their progression to clinical application faces challenges such as limited bioavailability and a lack of extensive preclinical evaluation. Continued exploration of steroidal saponins offers substantial hope for the development of alternative and potentially less harmful cancer treatments to combat this growing global health crisis.

Keywords: Plant-derived compounds, Anti-cancer agents, Strategies, Synthesis, Mechanisms of metastasis.