ABSTRACT
Plant-derived compounds and crude extracts have always played an important role in cancer treatment. Exploration of anticancer agents from natural sources, especially from plants, have confirmed that medicinal plants and the bioactive compounds from them can be used as an alternative therapy for cancer to achieve maximum effect with fewer side effects. This review introduces the role of phytocompounds in developing photosensitizers, nanoparticles and their conjugates in the photodynamic therapy of cancer with increasing demand for improved efficiency, overcoming resistance and recurrence of disease. Researchers are encouraging the use of combination therapies to improve life expectancy in patients. To accomplish this, plants are being studied to improve photodynamic therapy outcomes through phytocompounds that can enhance photosensitizing properties in a tumour with target-specific accumulation. Nanotechnology has eased this process by surpassing cellular barriers in the form of nanoparticle drug carriers. This review emphasizes the concept of plant-based photodynamic therapy using bioactive phytocompounds as photosensitizers and nanoparticles for targeted cancer control and suppression.
