Anticarcinogenic property of medicinal plants: Involvement of antioxidant role

Carcinogens are involved in carcinogenesis, mutagenesis and genotoxicity. One of the best ways to minimize the detrimental effects of carcinogens is by the use of medicinal plants i.e., natural anticarcinogens. Naturally occurring anticarcinogenic principles present in medicinal plants, human diet have protective effects against carcinogens. These include flavonoids, phenolics, coumarins, carotenoids, anthraquinones, tannins, saponins etc. Most of these have excellent antioxidant property which is partially or completely responsible for their anticarcinogenic effects. The present chapter attempts to furnish a brief overview on natural products conferring anticarcinogenicity.