Targeting Gastrointestinal Cancers with Carvacrol: Mechanistic Insights and Therapeutic Potential
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 naturall...
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| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Biomolecules |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/15/6/777 |
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| author | Nitika Patwa Gagandeep Singh Vikas Sharma Priyanka Chaudhary Bunty Sharma Shafiul Haque Vikas Yadav Shakti Ranjan Satapathy Hardeep Singh Tuli |
| author_facet | Nitika Patwa Gagandeep Singh Vikas Sharma Priyanka Chaudhary Bunty Sharma Shafiul Haque Vikas Yadav Shakti Ranjan Satapathy Hardeep Singh Tuli |
| author_sort | Nitika Patwa |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | 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. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-362da6ccc9dd40f2aa1a2b73713c963d |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2218-273X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Biomolecules |
| spelling | doaj-art-362da6ccc9dd40f2aa1a2b73713c963d2025-08-20T03:27:18ZengMDPI AGBiomolecules2218-273X2025-05-0115677710.3390/biom15060777Targeting Gastrointestinal Cancers with Carvacrol: Mechanistic Insights and Therapeutic PotentialNitika Patwa0Gagandeep Singh1Vikas Sharma2Priyanka Chaudhary3Bunty Sharma4Shafiul Haque5Vikas Yadav6Shakti Ranjan Satapathy7Hardeep Singh Tuli8Department of Biotechnology, DAV College, Ambala 133001, Haryana, IndiaSection of Microbiology , Central Ayurveda Research Institute, Jhansi 284003, Uttar Pradesh, IndiaDepartment of Biotechnology, Ambala College of Engineering and Applied Research, Ambala 133001, Haryana, IndiaDepartment of Zoology, DAV College (Lahore), Ambala 133001, Haryana, IndiaDepartment of Biotechnology, Graphic Era (Deemed to Be University), Dehradun 248001, Uttarakhand, IndiaDepartment of Nursing, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Jazan University, Jazan 45142, Saudi ArabiaCell & Experimental Pathology, Department of Translational Medicine, Lund University, 200 41 Malmo, SwedenCell & Experimental Pathology, Department of Translational Medicine, Lund University, 200 41 Malmo, SwedenDepartment of Bio-Sciences and Technology, Maharishi Markandeshwar Engineering College, Maharishi Markandeshwar (Deemed to Be University), Mullana, Ambala 133001, Haryana, IndiaGastrointestinal (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.https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/15/6/777carvacrolgastrointestinal cancersanticancer mechanismsnanotechnologysynergistic therapy |
| spellingShingle | Nitika Patwa Gagandeep Singh Vikas Sharma Priyanka Chaudhary Bunty Sharma Shafiul Haque Vikas Yadav Shakti Ranjan Satapathy Hardeep Singh Tuli Targeting Gastrointestinal Cancers with Carvacrol: Mechanistic Insights and Therapeutic Potential Biomolecules carvacrol gastrointestinal cancers anticancer mechanisms nanotechnology synergistic therapy |
| title | Targeting Gastrointestinal Cancers with Carvacrol: Mechanistic Insights and Therapeutic Potential |
| title_full | Targeting Gastrointestinal Cancers with Carvacrol: Mechanistic Insights and Therapeutic Potential |
| title_fullStr | Targeting Gastrointestinal Cancers with Carvacrol: Mechanistic Insights and Therapeutic Potential |
| title_full_unstemmed | Targeting Gastrointestinal Cancers with Carvacrol: Mechanistic Insights and Therapeutic Potential |
| title_short | Targeting Gastrointestinal Cancers with Carvacrol: Mechanistic Insights and Therapeutic Potential |
| title_sort | targeting gastrointestinal cancers with carvacrol mechanistic insights and therapeutic potential |
| topic | carvacrol gastrointestinal cancers anticancer mechanisms nanotechnology synergistic therapy |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/15/6/777 |
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