Research Progress on the Antitumor Effects of Isorhamnetin (ISO) and Its Molecular Mechanisms

Cancer remains a leading contributor to global mortality, and current therapeutic interventions continue to grapple with significant limitations. The multi-target characteristics and low toxicity of natural products position them as promising sources of novel anti-tumor agents. Isorhamnetin (ISO), a naturally occurring O-methylated flavonol, exemplifies this potential, demonstrating diverse bioactivities such as cardiovascular protection, inflammation modulation, and cancer suppression.

This review systematically analyzed the latest advances in ISO mediated anti-tumor effects by searching databases such as PubMed and Web of Science, focusing on elucidating their molecular mechanisms, experimental evidence, and combination therapy strategies.

Research has shown that ISO has broad-spectrum anti-tumor activity against various malignant tumors. Mechanistically, ISO inhibits tumor cell proliferation, induces apoptosis, suppresses angiogenesis, and metastasis by regulating key signaling pathways. In addition, combining ISO with traditional chemotherapy drugs or autophagy inhibitors has a synergistic effect.

Although the multi-target anti-tumor potential of ISO has been validated, the direct molecular targets have not been fully identified, and pharmacokinetics, metabolic pathways, and bioavailability still need to be systematically evaluated. The optimal clinical dose and long-term toxicity also need to be considered to promote translational applications.

ISO is a promising natural anti-tumor drug with multi-target regulatory ability. This review provides a theoretical basis for its anti-tumor mechanism and supports its clinical translational potential as a new strategy for cancer treatment.