Exploring the Anticancer Potential of Justicia tranquebarensis L.f.: Mechanisms of Action, Phytochemicals, and Therapeutic Implications in Oncology and Radiotherapy

Abstract

Author(s): DivyaTeja Pagidi* and Hari Veluru

Justicia tranquebarensis L.f., a tropical medicinal plant from the Acanthaceae family, has been traditionally used for its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and analgesic properties. Recent studies highlight its potential as a source of bioactive compounds including flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, saponins, and tannins with notable anticancer activities. Preclinical evidence demonstrates that these phytochemicals can induce apoptosis via intrinsic and extrinsic pathways, arrest the cell cycle at critical checkpoints, and inhibit metastasis by modulating matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and related signaling pathways. In vitro and in vivo studies show that quercetin, kaempferol, trigonelline, and eugenol exert cytotoxic effects on multiple cancer cell lines and reduce tumor progression in animal models. Additionally, these compounds exhibit synergistic effects with conventional chemotherapeutic agents, enhancing their efficacy by overcoming drug resistance, increasing oxidative stress in tumor cells, and modulating drug efflux mechanisms. J. tranquebarensis compounds also provide protective effects during radiotherapy, mitigating radiation-induced oxidative damage, inflammation, and tissue injury in healthy cells. Despite promising preclinical findings, clinical validation remains limited, emphasizing the need for standardized extracts, optimized dosing, and rigorous pharmacokinetic and safety studies. Overall, J. tranquebarensis presents a multi-targeted therapeutic potential as an adjunct in cancer treatment, supporting conventional chemotherapy and radiotherapy while offering protective benefits to normal tissues. Future research should focus on mechanism-based clinical trials to fully realize its application in integrative oncology

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