Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most common malignant cancer of the head and neck

with high morbidity and mortality

ranking as the sixth most common cancer in the world. The treatment of OSCC is mainly radiotherapy

chemotherapy and surgery

however

the prognosis of patients is still poor and the recurrence rate is high. This paper reviews the range of effects of natural medicinal plant active ingredients (NMPAIs) on OSCC cancer

including the types of NMPAIs

anti-cancer mechanisms

involved signaling pathways

and clinical trials. The NMPAIs include terpenoids

phenols

flavonoids

glycosides

alkaloids

coumarins

and volatile oils. These active ingredients inhibit proliferation

induce apoptosis and autophagy

inhibit migration and invasion of OSCC cells

and regulate cancer immunity to exert anti-cancer effects. The mechanism involves signaling pathways such as mitogen-activated protein kinase

phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase/protein kinase B

nuclear factor kappa B

miR-22/WNT1/β-catenin and Nrf2/Keap1. Clinically

NMPAIs can inhibit the growth of OSCC

and the combined drug is more effective. Natural medicinal plants are promising candidates for the treatment of OSCC.