Apoptosis, the programmed cell death mechanism, is a promising target for anticancer therapy. Both intrinsic and extrinsic pathways use caspases to trigger apoptosis by cleaving hundreds of proteins. In cancer, apoptosis is often inhibited through overexpression of antiapoptotic proteins and underexpression of proapoptotic proteins, leading to resistance to chemotherapy. Plant-derived compounds, such as curcumin and graviola, show promise in activating the apoptotic pathway. Curcumin, a polyphenol found in turmeric, has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-carcinogenic properties. It inhibits BCL-2 and XIAP, increases BAX and BAK, and promotes mitochondrial membrane permeabilization, leading to apoptosis. Curcumin's effectiveness is enhanced when formulated into nanoparticles, improving its bioavailability and targeting. Other plant-derived compounds, including black cohosh, juglone, and quercetin, also induce apoptosis in cancer cells. These compounds are non-toxic to healthy cells and offer a potential alternative to traditional chemotherapy. Targeting apoptosis is a promising non-surgical approach for cancer therapy, as it is effective across various cancer types. The intrinsic and extrinsic pathways converge at caspase-8, leading to the activation of executioner caspases. Cancer cells evade apoptosis through dysregulation of BCL-2 family proteins and other mechanisms. However, plant-derived compounds can overcome these resistance mechanisms by activating proapoptotic pathways. The study highlights the potential of plant-derived compounds as non-toxic, effective anticancer therapies.Apoptosis, the programmed cell death mechanism, is a promising target for anticancer therapy. Both intrinsic and extrinsic pathways use caspases to trigger apoptosis by cleaving hundreds of proteins. In cancer, apoptosis is often inhibited through overexpression of antiapoptotic proteins and underexpression of proapoptotic proteins, leading to resistance to chemotherapy. Plant-derived compounds, such as curcumin and graviola, show promise in activating the apoptotic pathway. Curcumin, a polyphenol found in turmeric, has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-carcinogenic properties. It inhibits BCL-2 and XIAP, increases BAX and BAK, and promotes mitochondrial membrane permeabilization, leading to apoptosis. Curcumin's effectiveness is enhanced when formulated into nanoparticles, improving its bioavailability and targeting. Other plant-derived compounds, including black cohosh, juglone, and quercetin, also induce apoptosis in cancer cells. These compounds are non-toxic to healthy cells and offer a potential alternative to traditional chemotherapy. Targeting apoptosis is a promising non-surgical approach for cancer therapy, as it is effective across various cancer types. The intrinsic and extrinsic pathways converge at caspase-8, leading to the activation of executioner caspases. Cancer cells evade apoptosis through dysregulation of BCL-2 family proteins and other mechanisms. However, plant-derived compounds can overcome these resistance mechanisms by activating proapoptotic pathways. The study highlights the potential of plant-derived compounds as non-toxic, effective anticancer therapies.