Targeting Skin Cancer with Natural Bioactive Compounds: From Molecular Mechanisms to Application Strategies.

Skin cancer presents a significant global health burden with rising incidence. The side effects of current therapies and the emergence of drug resistance necessitate the exploration of alternative and complementary strategies. Natural products, with their long history of use in treating skin disorders, have emerged as a promising source of novel therapeutic agents. This review comprehensively elucidates the potential efficacy of natural bioactive compounds in both preventing and treating skin cancer. We summarize the molecular mechanisms through which key natural bioactive compounds exert their anti-skin cancer effects, including induction of apoptosis, inhibition of proliferation and metastasis, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities, DNA damage repair, and photoprotection. Furthermore, we discuss the biological barriers relevant to skin cancer therapy using natural bioactive compounds and link them to corresponding delivery strategies, while identifying key translational challenges. In conclusion, natural bioactive compounds offer a multi-targeted and synergistic approach against skin carcinogenesis, holding substantial promise as sources of adjuvant therapies and chemopreventive agents to improve patient outcomes.