Exploring the Potential of Phytochemicals Derived From Indian Medicinal Plants for Management and Treatment of Glioblastoma Multiforme Based on In Vitro Studies

Introduction:Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most aggressive lethal cancer with low survival rate. Efficacy of chemotherapy is decreased for GBM for blood -brain barrier that limits the delivery of chemotherapeutics to brain. Though several novel GBM-targeting drugs are showing promising results, most of them have deleterious side effects. Alternatively, phytochemicals exhibit multiple bioactivities including cytotoxicity towards various cancer cells and are showing prominence in chemotherapy for low toxicity and cost-effectiveness. This review presents a comprehensive literature regarding effective treatment of GBM by phytochemicals found in India. This study may introduce a new opportunity to use these phytochemicals alone or in combination with other chemotherapeutics against GBM. Methods: Comprehensive and systematic review of the literature was carried out on the role of phytochemicals, which are widespread in India with a focus on GBM. Peer -reviewed articles were extracted by using combination of keyword such as 'GBM,' 'phytochemicals,' 'Indian plants,' etc. in Scopus, PubMed, and Science -Direct databases from 1983 to 2022. Results: Plethora of phytochemicals are obtained from medicinal plants. Indian subcontinent is rich in phytochemical-producing plants and those are being used successfully against GBM in combination with chemotherapy. It inhibits GBM angiogenesis and tumour proliferation. These results suggest the possibility of innovative drug therapeutic strategies using phytochemicals as lead compounds. Conclusions: We have reviewed the role of several plants widely spread -across India and their derived phytochemicals used to treat GBM. The inferences considered here may be extended as useful foundation towards study and development of promising chemotherapeutic agents for treatment of GBM.