Top Edible Wild Plants of Eastern Mediterranean Region. Part I: Anticancer Activity

Abstract

Medicinal plants are the major source of natural products that are used for drug discovery and development. Cancer is second cause of disease-related deaths, after cardiovascular diseases. Numerous studies were conducted and published where plant materials such as extracts, essential oils, pure natural compounds or their combinations and formulations, were tested for the treatments of cancers, tumors, and their prevention. The fauna of the Middle East region, especially the area between the Mediterranean and the Jordan River (Israel and Palestine), includes some plant species with notable potential anticancer activity. Some of these plants, are known for this activity for centuries, as we know from the traditional medicines of this region. For example, Arum palaestinum is one of the most important plants used in folk medicine for the treatment of cancer, and modern studies have confirmed this property. Several natural products that were isolated from this plant were proposed as responsible for this activity. In this review we will introduce the most important edible plants (not including trees) and their published anticancer activity, as well as according to traditional medicine. Important natural product proposed for these activities will be presented, as well as selected mechanism of action. Based on this brief presentation, some future applications and research potentials will be suggested.