Plant-Derived Bioactive Compounds in Colorectal Cancer: Insights from Combined Regimens with Conventional Chemotherapy to Overcome Drug-Resistance

Abstract

Acquired drug resistance represents a major clinical problem and one of the biggest limitations of chemotherapeutic regimens in colorectal cancer. Combination regimens using standard chemotherapeutic agents, together with bioactive natural compounds derived from diet or plants, may be one of the most valuable strategies to overcome drug resistance and re-sensitize chemoresistant cells. In this review, we highlight the effect of combined regimens based on conventional chemotherapeutics in conjunction with well-tolerated plant-derived bioactive compounds, mainly curcumin, resveratrol, and EGCG, with emphasis on the molecular mechanisms associated with the acquired drug resistance.

Keywords

• combination therapy
• chemotherapy resistance
• colorectal cancer
• drug resistance
• curcumin
• resveratrol