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Natural essential oils as a new therapeutic tool in colorectal cancer

Stefania Garzoli1, Pedro Alarcón-Zapata2,3, Gulnaz Seitimova4

  • 1Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, University "Sapienza" of Rome, P.Le Aldo Moro 5, 00185, Rome, Italy.

Cancer Cell International
|December 13, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Essential oils (EOs) show promise as complementary therapies for colorectal cancer (CRC). Preclinical studies reveal EOs possess cytotoxic and antiproliferative effects against cancer cells, warranting further clinical investigation.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Pharmacology
  • Natural Products Chemistry

Background:

  • Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of cancer death globally.
  • Natural compounds have historically informed cancer drug development.
  • Essential oils (EOs) are complex natural mixtures with known biological activities, including potential anticancer properties.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the composition and preclinical evidence of essential oils in colorectal cancer (CRC).
  • To explore the anticancer mechanisms and experimental models used in studies of EOs for CRC.
  • To highlight the potential of EOs as chemotherapeutic or chemopreventive agents for CRC.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic review of preclinical pharmacological studies.
  • Searches conducted in major scientific databases (PubMed/Medline, Web of Science, Scopus, Google Scholar, TRIP database).
  • Utilized relevant Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms for comprehensive literature retrieval.

Main Results:

  • Essential oils demonstrated significant cytotoxic, antiproliferative, and antimetastatic effects on colorectal cancer cells in preclinical models.
  • Various mechanisms of action were identified for the anticancer effects of EOs.
  • The reviewed studies provide robust scientific evidence for the efficacy of EOs against CRC.

Conclusions:

  • Essential oils show considerable potential as effective complementary therapies in CRC treatment.
  • Further translational clinical studies are necessary to determine optimal human dosage and administration routes for EOs.
  • EOs represent a promising avenue for chemoprevention and adjuvant chemotherapy in colorectal cancer management.
Keywords:
Anticancer propertiesAnticancer therapyApoptosisColorectal cancerCytotoxicityNatural essential oils

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