Modulation of Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase (MAPK) Signaling Pathway in Gastrointestinal Cancers by Phytochemicals.

The purpose of this review is to provide a concise overview of phytochemicals and their possible effects on gastrointestinal (GI) malignancies via modification of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling cascade. Abnormal activation of the MAPK pathway significantly contributes to GI cancer progression and is associated with various facets of cancer, including cellular proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, angiogenesis, and metastasis. Although standard medications are essential for managing GI cancers, their side effects frequently present considerable obstacles to the patient's quality of life. Thus, there is increasing emphasis on phytochemicals that are safe, non-toxic, and multitargeted properties. In recent years, phytochemicals have garnered significant interest in antitumor therapy, leveraging their multifaceted signaling regulatory actions to activate several biological mechanisms, thereby offering substantial benefits in tumor inhibition. These phytochemicals have the ability to reduce tumor development and induce cancer cell death by selectively inhibiting several components of the MAPK pathway in in vitro and in vivo GI cancer models. Thus, this review highlights the current knowledge on phytochemicals that modulate MAPK pathway in GI cancers, their mode of action along with their limitations. In conclusion, phytochemicals offer a promising strategy for addressing dysregulation of the MAPK pathway in gastrointestinal cancer, necessitating further investigation.