Brain cancer remains one of the most challenging malignancies to treat, with
limited therapeutic options and poor prognosis. Brain cancer, particularly gliomas,
presents significant challenges due to its aggressive nature and limited treatment
options. In recent years, nutraceuticals—bioactive compounds derived from food
sources—have gained attention for their potential in preventing and treating various
forms of cancer, including brain tumours. The growing importance of nutraceuticals in
the treatment and prevention of brain cancer is examined in this chapter. Important
components of nutraceuticals, like vitamins, carotenoids, polyphenols, and omega-3
fatty acids, show promise in the fight against cancer by regulating cell signalling
pathways involved in tumour growth and metastasis, acting as antioxidants, and
exhibiting anti-inflammatory effects. The chapter further delves into the dietary sources
rich in these nutraceuticals, such as curcumin, green tea, ashwagandha, mushrooms,
berberin, gasotile, and silibinin. By understanding the molecular mechanisms through
which these compounds act, we can better harness their potential in integrative
strategies for brain cancer management, ultimately improving patient outcomes.
Understanding the molecular mechanism of action of any compounds at the cellular
level is very important, as signalling proteins or proteins involved in the cell cycle can
serve as therapeutic targets and also be used as biomarkers. Cell signalling proteins,
such as ERK, JNK, p53, AKT, NF-kappa B, and cellular proteins CDKs, DAPK, and
caspases, along with their roles, are discussed in this chapter. It also highlights the
molecular changes caused by the nutraceuticals in brain cancer cell lines.
Keywords: Berberine, Brain cancer, Curcumin, Chemotherapy, Cell signalling, Epicatechin, ERK, Gastrodin, Nutraceuticals, p53, Silibinin, JNK.
