Author(s)
DR.SUDHA KESAVARTHINI.P, Ms IYSWARYA.G.M, MS.RAKSHITHA.S
- Manuscript ID: 121189
- Volume 2, Issue 7, Jul 2026
- Pages: 67–90
Subject Area: Other
Abstract
Ovarian cancer remains one of the most aggressive gynaecological malignancies and is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality among women worldwide. Despite advances in surgical interventions and platinum-based chemotherapy, the prognosis of advanced-stage ovarian cancer remains poor due to late diagnosis, frequent recurrence, and the emergence of chemoresistance. Consequently, there is growing interest in identifying novel therapeutic agents with improved efficacy, reduced toxicity, and the ability to target multiple molecular pathways simultaneously.
Medicinal plants have gained considerable attention as valuable sources of bioactive compounds with diverse pharmacological activities. Spathodea campanulata (African tulip tree), belonging to the family Bignoniaceae, possesses a wide range of phytoconstituents, including flavonoids, phenolic compounds, triterpenoids, and phytosterols, which have demonstrated significant antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anticancer properties. Major phytochemicals such as quercetin, kaempferol, and β-sitosterol exhibit potent anticancer activity through modulation of multiple cellular and molecular targets.
This review comprehensively summarizes the phytochemical composition of Spathodea campanulata and critically discusses the molecular mechanisms underlying its anticancer potential against ovarian cancer. The reported mechanisms include induction of mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis, regulation of oxidative stress, inhibition of tumour cell proliferation, cell cycle arrest, suppression of angiogenesis, and modulation of key signalling pathways including PI3K/Akt, MAPK, p53, and VEGF. Furthermore, available in vitro and in silico evidence supporting the therapeutic potential of these phytoconstituents is discussed, together with current challenges and future perspectives for drug development.
Overall, the collective evidence indicates that Spathodea campanulata represents a promising natural source of multi-target anticancer agents. Further pharmacological investigations, animal studies, and well-designed clinical trials are required to validate its therapeutic efficacy and facilitate its translation into novel phytopharmaceutical interventions for ovarian cancer management.