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Published on: December 1, 2016
Targeted phytotherapy: essential oils, multi-target cancer action & nanodelivery
Kali Prasad Pattanaik1, Laxmipriti Behera2, Usha Rani Panda3
1R&D Department, BioPioneer Pvt. Ltd., KIIT-TBI, KIIT DU, Patia, Bhubaneswar, India.
Frontiers in Oncology
|August 13, 2026
Summary
Essential oils (EOs) show anticancer potential through multitargeted mechanisms and synergistic effects with conventional therapies. Advanced nanoformulations enhance EO delivery, paving the way for precision phytotherapy in oncology.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Phytotherapy
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Essential oils (EOs) possess anticancer properties, offering innovative precision phytotherapy (PT) for various tumors.
- Their multitargeted molecular mechanisms include inducing apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, and inhibiting angiogenesis and metastasis.
- Key volatile EOs like thymol, eugenol, and limonene interact with critical oncogenic signaling pathways.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the anticancer mechanisms of EOs and their potential in precision oncology.
- To highlight the synergistic effects of EOs with chemotherapy and immunotherapy.
- To review nanotechnology-based strategies for improving EO drug delivery and overcoming resistance.
Main Methods:
- Review of molecular mechanisms of EOs, including apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, angiogenesis, metastasis, and tumor microenvironment modulation.
- Analysis of volatile EOs (thymol, eugenol, limonene, β-caryophyllene) and their interaction with signaling pathways (NF-κB, PI3K/AKT/mTOR, MAPK, STAT3).
- Evaluation of advanced nanoformulation techniques (lipid-based nanoparticles, polymeric micelles, nanoemulsions, mesoporous silica carriers) for EO delivery.
Main Results:
- EOs exhibit multitargeted anticancer activity through various molecular mechanisms.
- Specific EOs like thymol and eugenol demonstrate significant interactions with oncogenic pathways.
- Nanoformulations show promise in enhancing EO delivery and overcoming physicochemical challenges.
- EOs can synergize with chemotherapy and immunotherapy, potentially reversing multidrug resistance.
Conclusions:
- Essential oils represent a promising avenue for precision phytotherapy in oncology.
- Nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems are crucial for optimizing the therapeutic potential of EOs.
- Further research and clinical trials are needed to address standardization and regulatory hurdles for integrating EOs into cancer treatment.
Keywords:
anticancer mechanismsessential oilsmulti-targeted therapynanoformulationprecision phytotherapyMore Related Videos
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