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Targeting Gastrointestinal Cancers with Carvacrol : Mechanistic Insights and Therapeutic Potential

Patwa, Nitika ; Singh, Gagandeep ; Sharma, Vikas ; Chaudhary, Priyanka ; Sharma, Bunty ; Haque, Shafiul ; Yadav, Vikas LU orcid ; Satapathy, Shakti Ranjan LU and Tuli, Hardeep Singh (2025) In Biomolecules 15(6).
Abstract

Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers, including esophageal, gastric, pancreatic, liver, and colorectal malignancies, represent a major global health burden due to their high incidence, aggressive nature, and limited treatment outcomes. This review explores the therapeutic potential of carvacrol, a naturally occurring monoterpenoid phenol predominantly found in oregano and other aromatic plants. Carvacrol has demonstrated strong anticancer properties by modulating multiple molecular pathways governing apoptosis, inflammation, angiogenesis, and metastasis. Preclinical studies have revealed its ability to selectively target cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue. Advances in nanotechnology have further enhanced its pharmacological profile by... (More)

Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers, including esophageal, gastric, pancreatic, liver, and colorectal malignancies, represent a major global health burden due to their high incidence, aggressive nature, and limited treatment outcomes. This review explores the therapeutic potential of carvacrol, a naturally occurring monoterpenoid phenol predominantly found in oregano and other aromatic plants. Carvacrol has demonstrated strong anticancer properties by modulating multiple molecular pathways governing apoptosis, inflammation, angiogenesis, and metastasis. Preclinical studies have revealed its ability to selectively target cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue. Advances in nanotechnology have further enhanced its pharmacological profile by improving solubility, stability, and tumor-targeted delivery. Additionally, carvacrol shows synergistic effects when used in combination with conventional chemotherapeutics. While the evidence is promising, clinical studies are needed to validate its translational potential. This review aims to consolidate current findings and encourage further investigation into carvacrol's application as an adjunct or alternative therapeutic agent in GI cancer management.

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author
; ; ; ; ; ; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
Humans, Cymenes/therapeutic use, Gastrointestinal Neoplasms/drug therapy, Animals, Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic use, Apoptosis/drug effects, Monoterpenes/therapeutic use
in
Biomolecules
volume
15
issue
6
article number
777
publisher
MDPI AG
external identifiers
  • pmid:40563418
  • scopus:105009134898
ISSN
2218-273X
DOI
10.3390/biom15060777
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
11ab317c-0ae3-4c61-a599-681dbcb13b78
date added to LUP
2025-10-17 07:59:53
date last changed
2025-11-15 06:02:55
@article{11ab317c-0ae3-4c61-a599-681dbcb13b78,
  abstract     = {{<p>Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers, including esophageal, gastric, pancreatic, liver, and colorectal malignancies, represent a major global health burden due to their high incidence, aggressive nature, and limited treatment outcomes. This review explores the therapeutic potential of carvacrol, a naturally occurring monoterpenoid phenol predominantly found in oregano and other aromatic plants. Carvacrol has demonstrated strong anticancer properties by modulating multiple molecular pathways governing apoptosis, inflammation, angiogenesis, and metastasis. Preclinical studies have revealed its ability to selectively target cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue. Advances in nanotechnology have further enhanced its pharmacological profile by improving solubility, stability, and tumor-targeted delivery. Additionally, carvacrol shows synergistic effects when used in combination with conventional chemotherapeutics. While the evidence is promising, clinical studies are needed to validate its translational potential. This review aims to consolidate current findings and encourage further investigation into carvacrol's application as an adjunct or alternative therapeutic agent in GI cancer management.</p>}},
  author       = {{Patwa, Nitika and Singh, Gagandeep and Sharma, Vikas and Chaudhary, Priyanka and Sharma, Bunty and Haque, Shafiul and Yadav, Vikas and Satapathy, Shakti Ranjan and Tuli, Hardeep Singh}},
  issn         = {{2218-273X}},
  keywords     = {{Humans; Cymenes/therapeutic use; Gastrointestinal Neoplasms/drug therapy; Animals; Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic use; Apoptosis/drug effects; Monoterpenes/therapeutic use}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{05}},
  number       = {{6}},
  publisher    = {{MDPI AG}},
  series       = {{Biomolecules}},
  title        = {{Targeting Gastrointestinal Cancers with Carvacrol : Mechanistic Insights and Therapeutic Potential}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/biom15060777}},
  doi          = {{10.3390/biom15060777}},
  volume       = {{15}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}