Epithelial-mesenchymal transition as a target for botanicals in cancer metastasis

Background: The plant kingdom represents an unlimited source of phytotherapeutics with promising perspectives in the field of anticancer drug discovery. Purpose: In this view, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) represents a novel and major target in anticancer therapy. Therefore, this narrative review aims to provide an updated overview on the bioactive phytochemicals with anti-EMT activity. Conclusion: Among the plant products reviewed, phenylpropanoids were the most investigated at preclinical phase, thus exhibiting a promising potential as anticancer drugs, though an evidence-based clinical efficacy is still lacking