Table 1 Selected phytocompounds of therapeutic importance against head and neck cancer

Vinca alkaloids

Disrupts microtubule function through tubulin interaction and destruction resulting

Stalls cell division and facilitate apoptosis

[42]

[43]

Berberine

cancer cell death by simultaneous induction of autophagy and apoptosis

caused an increase in Bax expression and a decrease in mitochondrial membrane permeability, leading to mitochondrial apoptosis

[49]

Taxanes

Interferes with the microtubules and cell division

Blocks epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)

[41, 42]

[57]

Curcumin

Potent inhibitor of cell proliferation and inducer of programmed cell death in SCCHN by downregulating IκBα kinase (IKK) mediated NF-Kβ activation

[59, 60]

Grape seeds proanthocyanidins (GSPs)

Has the ability to hinder the SCCHN cell invasion by targeting the EGFR expression, as well as halting the transition from epithelial to mesenchymal cells

[61]

Licochalcone-A

Significantly increased death of pharyngeal squamous carcinoma FaDu cells with activated apoptotic factors and PARP in a caspase-dependent manner and decreased anti-apoptotic factors

[64,65,66]

Resveratrol

Cause cancer cell death via mitotic catastrophe, apoptosis and autophagy

[67]