Abstract

Chemotherapy remains a cornerstone of cancer treatment but is often constrained by severe adverse effects, drug 
resistance, and limited therapeutic efficacy. In recent years, medicinal plants and their bioactive constituents have 
gained attention as promising adjuvants to conventional chemotherapy. Phytochemicals such as curcumin, 
ginsenosides, withaferin A, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), and silymarin exhibit diverse anticancer mechanisms, 
including apoptosis induction, cell cycle arrest, inhibition of angiogenesis, and immune modulation. Clinical and 
preclinical studies demonstrate that these compounds not only enhance the efficacy of chemotherapeutic drugs but 
also mitigate their toxic side effects, thereby improving patient outcomes and quality of life. Widely studied 
medicinal plants such as Curcuma longa, Panax ginseng, Withania somnifera, Camellia sinensis, and Silybum 
marianum exemplify this therapeutic potential. Despite encouraging evidence, challenges remain in the integration 
of medicinal plants into standard oncology practice, including issues of standardization, safety, herb-drug 
interactions, and regulatory approval. This review highlights the pharmacological mechanisms, clinical 
applications, and safety considerations of medicinal plants as adjuvants in chemotherapy, emphasizing their role in 
shaping future integrative cancer care strategies.