Medicinal Plant Seeds in Nutritional Oncology: An Integrative Review of Emerging Therapeutics for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

purpose of reviewLung cancer, particularly non-small cell lung cancer, remains the leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Despite advances in therapy, limitations such as late diagnosis, toxicity, and drug resistance necessitate alternative strategies. This review aims to highlight the emerging role of medicinal plant seeds and their phytochemicals as potential anticancer agents against NSCLC. RECENT

findingsSeeds from Nigella sativa, Vitis vinifera, Sesamum indicum, Coix lacryma-jobi, Trigonella foenum-graecum, Artocarpus heterophyllus, Citrullus lanatus, and Linum usitatissimum demonstrate anticancer activity in preclinical lung cancer models. Their bioactive compounds, extracts, oils, and nanoparticle formulations induce apoptosis, arrest the cell cycle, inhibit angiogenesis and metastasis, modulate oxidative stress, and suppress epithelial-mesenchymal transition. These effects are mediated by key pathways including EGFR, PI3K/Akt, NF-κB, Nrf2, and caspase signaling. Compounds such as sesamol, diosgenin, and grape seed procyanidins have shown potential in enhancing chemotherapeutic outcomes and overcoming drug resistance, particularly through nanoformulation-based delivery systems. Medicinal plant seeds exhibit multi-targeted mechanisms and represent promising candidates for lung cancer therapy. Further translational and clinical studies are essential to establish their efficacy and integration into lung cancer management.