Curcumin and its Derivatives Targeting Multiple Signaling Pathways to Elicit Anticancer Activity: A Comprehensive...

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Natural Products Chemistry
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Cancer, characterized by uncontrolled cell growth, remains a major global health concern, with breast, lung, and liver cancers being particularly prevalent.
• Dietary natural products are gaining attention for their potential chemopreventive and therapeutic properties due to low toxicity and beneficial anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.
• Phytochemicals, like curcumin, are being explored as adjuncts to conventional cancer treatment strategies, necessitating a thorough evaluation of their efficacy and mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the existing in vivo and in vitro evidence on curcumin's efficacy against breast, lung, and liver cancers.
• To explore the molecular pathways targeted by curcumin and its derivatives in cancer treatment.
• To highlight the role of molecular docking studies in designing novel curcumin derivatives with enhanced therapeutic potential.

Main Methods:

• Comprehensive literature review of in vivo and in vitro studies on curcumin's anticancer effects.
• Analysis of molecular docking studies investigating the interactions between curcumin derivatives and target proteins.
• Synthesis of data on curcumin's impact on various cancer-targeting pathways at the molecular level.

Main Results:

• Curcumin demonstrates significant anticancer activity against breast, lung, and liver cancer models through diverse molecular pathways.
• Molecular docking studies have identified potential protein targets for curcumin and its derivatives, aiding in the design of new analogs.
• Existing research provides a foundation for understanding curcumin's therapeutic potential, but further investigation is required.

Conclusions:

• Curcumin, a potent phytochemical from turmeric, holds considerable promise as a therapeutic agent for major cancers.
• Further in-depth studies are needed to elucidate the precise molecular mechanisms and target engagement of curcumin and its derivatives.
• The development of novel curcumin derivatives, guided by molecular docking and mechanistic studies, could lead to innovative cancer treatment strategies.