Europe PMC · 2026-06-13
A systematic review of 55 studies identified 556 plant species across sub-Saharan Africa traditionally used to treat cancer, revealing a rich but largely untested pharmacological resource. The findings highlight a critical gap between centuries of indigenous knowledge and the clinical evidence needed to develop safe, effective plant-based cancer therapies.
556 plant species from 110 families were documented as traditional cancer treatments across sub-Saharan Africa, with Fabaceae (51 species) and Asteraceae (34 species) the most represented families.
Leaves (41.2%), roots (18.75%), and bark (17.25%) are the most-used plant parts, primarily prepared by decoction (38.23%) or infusion/tea (49.73%) and taken orally (66.88%).
Only 55 studies met eligibility criteria from a 20-year search, underscoring how little pharmacological or clinical validation has been done on these widely-used remedies.
