Medicinal plants: an asset against colorectal cancer?

By Ana Espino | Published on March 13, 2026 | 3 min read


Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Despite advances in surgery, chemotherapy, targeted therapies, and immunotherapy, survival in metastatic disease remains limited. Therapeutic resistance, cumulative toxicity, and tumor heterogeneity represent major clinical challenges.  

In this context, interest in traditional medicine and phytotherapeutic compounds has increased. Many medicinal plants contain bioactive molecules capable of interacting with signaling pathways involved in carcinogenesis. However, their true role in CRC management remains debated due to the lack of standardization and robust clinical validation.  

This review published in 2025 provides an updated analysis of medicinal plants and natural compounds investigated for CRC treatment, detailing their molecular mechanisms of action and their potential translational applications.  

How do plants target tumor cells?  

The authors synthesize data from in vitro, in vivo, and a limited number of clinical studies exploring the anticancer effects of plant-derived compounds.  

Among the most extensively studied molecules are curcumin, resveratrol, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) from green tea, quercetin, and berberine. These compounds exert pleiotropic effects on tumor cells.  

Several mechanisms are described. First, the induction of apoptosis through activation of caspases and modulation of Bcl-2/Bax proteins. Second, the inhibition of tumor cell proliferation via negative regulation of major signaling pathways such as Wnt/β-catenin, PI3K/AKT, and MAPK. Some compounds also modulate p53 expression, promoting cell cycle arrest.  

Anti-inflammatory properties represent another key mechanism, notably through inhibition of NF-κB signaling and reduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines. This effect is particularly relevant in CRC, where chronic inflammation plays a central role in tumor development and progression.  

In addition, several plant extracts have demonstrated the ability to inhibit tumor angiogenesis, particularly by regulating VEGF expression, and to limit cell invasion and migration by modulating matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs).  

Some studies also suggest synergistic effects with conventional chemotherapy, potentially enhancing tumor sensitivity while reducing treatment-related toxicity. However, most available evidence remains preclinical.  

Toward evidence-based integrative oncology    

Colorectal cancer remains a major therapeutic challenge characterized by treatment resistance and toxicity associated with standard therapies. This review aimed to evaluate the potential of medicinal plants as adjuvant or alternative therapeutic strategies.  

Available data confirm that several natural compounds possess biologically plausible antitumor properties, acting on apoptosis, proliferation, inflammation, and angiogenesis. Their multimodal mechanisms of action may represent a potential advantage in addressing tumor heterogeneity.  

However, major limitations remain: low bioavailability of certain compounds, variability in plant extracts, lack of standardized dosing, and the scarcity of robust randomized clinical trials.  

In the future, the rational integration of these molecules into combined therapeutic strategies, supported by rigorous clinical studies and optimized formulations, could pave the way for evidence-based integrative oncology, rather than the empirical use of phytotherapy.  

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