World Health Organization (WHO) estimated breast cancer as one of the most prevailed malignancy around the globe. Its incident cases are gradually increasing every year, resulting in considerable healthcare burden. The heterogeneity of breast cancer accounts for its differential molecular subtyping, interaction between pathways, DNA damaging, and chronic inflammation. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a group of zinc-containing, calcium dependent endopeptidases which play a substantial role in breast carcinogenesis through several mechanisms. These mechanisms include remodeling of extracellular matrix (ECM), cell proliferation, and angiogenesis which promote metastasis and result in tumor progression. In this context, compounds bearing MMP inhibitory potential can serve as potent therapeutic agents in combating MMPs provoked breast cancer. Current systematic review aimed to encompass the details of potent natural lead molecules that can deter MMPs-provoked breast cancer. Following the critical appraisal of literature, a total of n = 44 studies that explored inhibitory effect of phytochemicals on MMPs were included in this review. These phytoconstituents include alkaloids (n = 11), flavonoids (n = 23), terpenoids (n = 7), and lignans (n = 2). The most common inhibitory methods used to evaluate efficacy of these phytoconstituents included Gelatin Zymography, Western Blotting, and real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis. Moreover, current limitations, challenges, and future directions of using such compounds have been critically discussed. This review underscores the potential implications of phytochemicals in the management of breast cancer which could lessen the growing encumbrance of disease.

世界卫生组织（WHO）估计乳腺癌是全球最普遍的恶性肿瘤之一。它的事件每年都在逐渐增加，导致相当大的医疗负担。乳腺癌的异质性导致其分子分型不同，途径之间的相互作用，DNA损伤和慢性炎症。基质金属蛋白酶（MMP）是一组含锌的钙依赖性内肽酶，它们通过几种机制在乳腺癌的致癌过程中发挥重要作用。这些机制包括细胞外基质（ECM）的重塑，细胞增殖和血管生成，它们促进转移并导致肿瘤进展。在这种情况下，具有MMP抑制潜能的化合物可以作为有效的治疗剂，对抗引起乳腺癌的MMP。当前的系统综述旨在涵盖可以阻止MMPs诱发乳腺癌的有效天然铅分子的细节。在对文学进行批判性评价之后，ñ= 44项探讨植物化学物质对MMPs抑制作用的研究包括在本评价中。这些植物成分包括生物碱（ñ = 11），类黄酮（ñ = 23），萜类化合物（ñ = 7）和木脂素（ñ= 2）。用于评估这些植物成分功效的最常见抑制​​方法包括明胶酶谱法，蛋白质印迹法和实时聚合酶链反应（RT-PCR）分析。此外，已经严格讨论了使用此类化合物的当前局限性，挑战和未来方向。这篇综述强调了植物化学物质在乳腺癌治疗中的潜在影响，这可以减轻疾病的负担。