Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a highly prevalent and leading cause of death
globally. Though well-developed treatment strategies are available, colorectal cancer is
still a challenging health problem in developed and developing countries. Despite
advanced treatment methods, all may not exterminate the tumor since most cases of
CRCs are diagnosed at the last stage, and treatment-associated drug toxicity and
resistance are major concerns. Therefore, it is imperative to discover anticancer drugs
with less toxicity and no drug resistance. During the process of new drug discovery,
medicinal plants and their derivatives play a significant role. This chapter/review explores andrographolides and their derivatives as potential anticancer drug candidates
to combat colorectal cancer. This chapter describes the molecular mechanisms of
colorectal cancer, potential drug targets in cancer, the anticancer potential of
andrographolide derivatives in various malignancies, and its specific function in
preventing CRC. This review provides concise information and possible clues for
researchers to develop andrographolides, their derivatives and anticancer drugs to treat
colorectal cancer.
Keywords: Anticancer agents, Andrographolide, Colorectal cancer, Potential targets.