Traditional Medicinal Plants Used in Turkey and Their Anti-Cancer Effects

Cancer is a major global public health problem that increasing its incidence and mortality all over the world. Carcinogenesis is a multistep process in which distinct molecular and cellular alterations occur. Chemoprevention is an active cancer preventive strategy to inhibit carcinogenesis. Chemoprevention includes the use of agents to inhibit or retard tumorigenesis. A number of epidemiological studies have consistently shown that chemopreventive effects of phytochemicals. Anti-carcinogenic actions of plant chemicals have been shown in researches. Phytochemicals can prevent cancer initiation, promotion and progression. Recent reports suggest that about one-third of the most common cancers in high-income countries can be prevented by eating a healthy, plant-based diet. Phytochemicals from dietary plants and other plant sources such as herbs becoming increasingly important sources of anticancer drugs or compounds for cancer chemoprevention and adjuvant chemotherapy. In this review, we compiled studies about the effects of phytochemicals which are used to treat or prevent cancer in Turkey.