Reactive oxygen species play crucial role in
biological homeostasis and pathogenesis of human diseases including
cancer. In this line, now it has become evident that ROS level/concentration is a major factor in the growth, progression and stemness of
cancer cells. Moreover,
cancer cells maintain a delicate balance between ROS and
antioxidants to promote pathogenesis and clinical challenges via targeting a battery of signaling pathways converging to
cancer hallmarks. Recent findings also entail the therapeutic importance of ROS for the better clinical outcomes in
cancer patients as they induce apoptosis and autophagy. Moreover, poor clinical outcomes associated with
cancer therapies are the major challenge and use of natural products have been vital in attenuation of these challenges due to their multitargeting potential with less adverse effects. In fact, most available drugs are derived from natural resources, either directly or indirectly and available evidence show the clinical importance of natural products in the management of various diseases, including
cancer. ROS play a critical role in the anticancer actions of natural products, particularly
phytochemicals. Benzophenanthridine
alkaloids of the
benzyl isoquinoline family of
alkaloids, such as
sanguinarine, possess several pharmacological properties and are thus being studied for the treatment of different human diseases, including
cancer. In this article, we review recent findings, on how benzophenanthridine
alkaloid-induced ROS play a critical role in the attenuation of pathological changes and stemness features associated with human
cancers. In addition, we highlight the role of ROS in benzophenanthridine
alkaloid-mediated activation of the signaling pathway associated with
cancer cell apoptosis and autophagy.