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Phytochemistry of Prunus africana and its therapeutic effect against prostate cancer

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Abstract

Prostate cancer is still one of the world’s top triggers of mortality. In light of the restricted therapy choices for people with prostate cancer, natural substance-based prevention and therapeutic techniques can contribute significantly to combating this illness. P. africana, a Rosaceae-family evergreen shrub native to Sub-Saharan Africa, has traditionally been used to cure prostate cancer. The focus of this research was therefore to review the phytochemistry of P. africana against prostate cancer. P. africana extracts produced from various plant sections have been reported to constitute a number of phytochemical components. Triterpenoids, phenols, sterols, and fatty acids are the most important. In vitro and in vivo experiments have shown that phytochemicals obtained from P. africana have antiprostate cancer characteristics. P. africana extracts have been shown to have powerful antiangiogenic and antiandrogenic properties, which have been partly attributed to synergistic effects of the constituent compounds. The extracts exert anticancer effect in prostate cancer cells by inducing apoptosis, inhibiting cell growth and proliferation, and suppressing signaling factors that promotes invasion, migration, and metastasis of cancer cells. Although, further preclinical and clinical studies are still needed to provide a more reliable scientific validation on the use of P. africana in cancer treatment. The qualitative synthesis from this review provides an evidence-based platform that will stimulate future studies, with prospects of developing safe, affordable, and effective pharmaceuticals for treating prostate cancer.

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Acknowledgements

Jennifer Nambooze acknowledges the Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD) and Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA).

Funding

This was research supported by the University of the Free state, Bloemfontein, South Africa.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry, School of Natural Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Science, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, 9300, South Africa

    Jennifer Nambooze

  2. Department of Pharmacology, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, 9300, South Africa

    Ochuko L. Erukainure

  3. Center for Quality of Health and Living, Faculty of Health Sciences, Central University of Technology, Bloemfontein, 9301, South Africa

    Chika I. Chukwuma

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  1. Jennifer Nambooze
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  2. Ochuko L. Erukainure
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  3. Chika I. Chukwuma
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The article’s preparation was done collaboratively by all the authors.

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Correspondence to Jennifer Nambooze.

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Nambooze, J., Erukainure, O.L. & Chukwuma, C.I. Phytochemistry of Prunus africana and its therapeutic effect against prostate cancer. Comp Clin Pathol 31, 875–893 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00580-022-03382-w

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