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Xanthohumol: A Metabolite with Promising Anti-Neoplastic Potential
Hardeep S Tuli1, Vaishali Aggarwal2, Gaurav Parashar1
1Department of Biotechnology, Maharishi Markandeshwar (Deemed to be University), Mullana-Ambala - 133 207, Haryana, India.
Abstract:
The overwhelming global burden of cancer has posed numerous challenges and opportunities for developing anti-cancer therapies. Phytochemicals have emerged as promising synergistic compounds with potential anti-cancer effects to supplement chemo- and immune-therapeutic regimens. Anti cancer synergistic effects have been investigated in the interaction between phytocompounds derived from flavonoids such as quercetin, apigenin, kaempferol, hesperidin, emodin, etc., and conventional drugs. Xanthohumol is one of the prenylated phytoflavonoid that has demonstrated key anti-cancer activities in in vitro (anti proliferation of cancer cell lines) and in vivo (animal models of xenograft tumours) studies, and has been explored from different dimensions for targeting cancer subtypes. In the last decade, xanthohumol has been investigated how it induces the anti- cancer effects at cellular and molecular levels. The different signalling cascades and targets of xanthohumol are summarized in this review. Overall, this review summarizes the current advances made in the field of natural compounds with special reference to xanthohumol and its promising anti-cancer effects to inhibit tumour progression. The present review has also discussedthe potential of xanthohumol transitioning into a leadingcandidate from nano-therapy viewpoint along with the challenges which need to be addressed for extensive preclinical and clinical anti-cancer studies.
Insights
Xanthohumol, a natural flavonoid, shows significant anti-cancer potential by inhibiting cancer cell proliferation and tumor growth. Further research into xanthohumol, particularly in nanotherapy, could lead to novel anti-cancer treatments.
Area of Science:
- Natural product chemistry
- Cancer biology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- The global cancer burden necessitates novel therapeutic strategies.
- Phytochemicals, like flavonoids, offer synergistic anti-cancer effects when combined with conventional treatments.
- Xanthohumol, a prenylated phytoflavonoid, exhibits promising anti-cancer activities in vitro and in vivo.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the cellular and molecular mechanisms of xanthohumol's anti-cancer effects.
- To summarize current research on xanthohumol as a potential anti-cancer agent.
- To discuss xanthohumol's potential in nanotherapy for cancer treatment.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of preclinical and clinical studies on xanthohumol.
- Analysis of in vitro and in vivo anti-cancer activities of xanthohumol.
- Investigation of signaling cascades and molecular targets affected by xanthohumol.
Main Results:
- Xanthohumol demonstrates anti-proliferative effects on cancer cell lines.
- Xanthohumol inhibits xenograft tumor growth in animal models.
- Key signaling pathways and molecular targets of xanthohumol have been identified.
Conclusions:
- Xanthohumol is a promising natural compound for cancer therapy, inhibiting tumor progression.
- Further investigation into xanthohumol, especially from a nanotherapy perspective, is warranted.
- Challenges for clinical translation of xanthohumol-based therapies need to be addressed.

