Potential of Phytochemicals for Pharmacotherapy of Glioblastoma Multiforme: Progress, Pitfalls, and Promise.

BACKGROUND:Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is known to be the most aggressive adult brain tumor due to its high fatality rates. The ability of this tumor to induce neovascularization, migrate, and proliferate into brain tissue makes GBM a sought-after disease for a cure. However, treatment is scarce, and a cure is elusive. Recent studies in the use of plant-based compounds (phytochemicals) for the prevention and treatment of GBM exhibit promising results. PURPOSE:The objective of this work is to determine the effects of different classes of phytocompounds, including phenolics, alkaloids, sulfur-containing compounds, and terpenoids, on various hallmarks associated with the development and growth of GBM. This was completed through an extensive analysis of cellular and molecular mechanisms of action. METHOD:To accomplish this goal, scholarly databases, such as PubMed, Scopus, and ScienceDirect were utilized to collect articles that were thoroughly reviewed for inclusion in this work. RESULTS:Various phytochemicals inhibited the survival, proliferation, and growth of diverse GBM cells in vitro and suppressed GBM tumor development and progression in animal models. Numerous studies indicated that different phytochemicals were able to induce apoptosis and decrease migration, invasion, and metastasis by elevated reactive oxygen species and proapoptotic caspase factors, inhibiting cyclin D1, impeding growth factor signaling, and modulating the protein kinase B/phosphoinositide 3-kinase pathway. CONCLUSION:Based on overwhelming scientific evidence, bioactive phytochemicals show significant promise for prevention and treatment of GBM. Future research is crucial to fully understand these anticancer effects of phytochemicals before their clinical transition.