Revolutionizing Breast Cancer Treatment: Herbal Strategies Against Stem Cells

Abstract

Severe forms of cancer are life-threatening due to the uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells that invade and destroy healthy tissues and organs. The largest number of female deaths globally is attributed to breast cancer. Early diagnosis and treatment, such as radiology, surgery, chemotherapy, and medications, can be used to control or cure the disease. However, adverse effects like excessive hair loss, nausea, multidrug resistance, infections, and often relapsing of the metastasis can lead to complications. Given this trend, the demand for natural products sourced from medicinal plants and foods is rising. Plant-derived bioactive compounds are revolutionary treatment options. Targeted therapy against Breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) is increasingly recognized as a critical strategy to overcome therapeutic resistance and achieve lasting remission. In this context, herbal products have emerged as promising agents due to their multi-targeted mechanisms of action, mitigated toxicity, and potential to modulate key signalling pathways involved in BCSC maintenance. Compounds such as curcumin, resveratrol, sulforaphane, berberine, and honokiol have shown potential in inhibiting BCSC-related pathways like Wnt/β-catenin, Notch, and PI3K/Akt in preclinical studies. This review evaluates the current landscape of herbal interventions in BCSC-targeted therapy and underscores the need for further research to bridge the gap between preclinical promise and clinical practice.