Evaluation of Anticancer Potential and Bioactive Compounds in Three Medicinal Species of the Genus Ruta: A Review Study

Abstract

Introduction: Cancer remains one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide and in Iran. Common treatment approaches such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery often have limited effectiveness and may lead to substantial adverse effects. Therefore, medicinal plants have gained increasing interest due to their lower toxicity and high therapeutic potential, especially in cases where cancer cells become resistant to conventional treatments. One of the notable medicinal plant genera is Ruta, from the Rutaceae family, which includes species such as Ruta graveolens, Ruta chalepensis, and Ruta montana.

Methods: This study was conducted as a systematic review. Relevant articles were searched using keywords such as Rutaceae, Ruta graveolens, Ruta montana, cancer, metastasis, and apoptosis within the PubMed and Google Scholar databases from 2003 to 2024. The inclusion criteria consisted of studies related to the anticancer effects and bioactive compounds of the three species. In total, 51 articles met the inclusion criteria, while 29 were excluded due to lack of relevant or failure to meet the required standards.

Results: The reviewed findings show that various Ruta species contain secondary metabolites, particularly flavonoids, which possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immune-stimulating, and apoptosis-inducing properties in cancer cells. These plants have demonstrated inhibitory effects on cancer cell proliferation and metastasis in different experimental models.

Conclusion: Ruta species may function as effective complementary agents when used alongside conventional cancer therapies. This article provides valuable insights for future experimental and clinical research on the therapeutic potential of these plants in cancer treatment.