ABSTRACT
To overcome the disadvantages associated with current anticancer drugs such as multidrug resistance and side effects, alternate approaches such as plant-based natural products can be utilized for treating different types of cancers. The anticarcinogenic and antitumor activities of various essential oils (EOs) have been studied. These EOs can be used alternatively or with conventional anticancer therapy to exhibit synergetic or additive or agonistic effects. Several reports on the anticancer properties of EOs to explore the mechanisms of action for EO compounds in order to use them safely, effectively, and appropriately in cancer therapy have been published. The chemoprotective effects of EOs may be due to immunomodulatory and antioxidant effects, antimutagenic and antiproliferative effects, via synergistic effects, by enhancing detoxification and modulation of multidrug resistance mechanisms.
