Integrated mechanisms of phytochemicals from plant-based functional foods in modulation detoxification pathways for cancer prevention: A review

Cancer remains a significant challenge to public health worldwide and ranks among the leading contributors to mortality in diverse populations. This persistent impact underscores the need for proactive approaches to reduce its incidence. Chemoprevention focuses on interrupting tumor development through naturally occurring compounds, particularly plant-derived bioactive compounds. These phytochemicals exert protective effects by modulating key molecular pathways and enhancing detoxification. Of particular interest are those that regulate phase I and II enzymes, facilitating carcinogen elimination and mitigating cellular damage associated with cancer progression. This review examines phytochemicals from plant-derived functional foods that enhance detoxification pathways for cancer prevention, summarizing current evidence and future directions for their clinical application and dietary integration. Emphasis is placed on specific bioactive constituents, such as sulforaphane from cruciferous vegetables, organosulfur compounds in garlic, betanin from beetroot, a spectrum of citrus fruit flavonoids including β-cryptoxanthin, hesperidin, and nobiletin, epigallocatechin-3-gallate from green tea, and curcumin derived from turmeric. These naturally occurring compounds regulate enzymatic pathways involved in xenobiotic metabolism, underscoring their relevance in nutritional oncology. Findings from diverse experimental models show they inhibit phase I enzymes, induce phase II detox enzymes, activate the Nrf2 signaling pathway, and modulate gene expression epigenetically. Collectively, these multifaceted actions contribute to their protective role against carcinogenesis. Although natural approaches show promise for cancer prevention, they face challenges related to bioavailability, standardization, and clinical validation, necessitating further research for effective integration into evidence-based oncology.