An Analysis of Three <i>Pistacia</i> Species’ Phenolic Compounds and Their Potential Anticancer and Cytotoxic Activities on Cancer Cells—A Review

The genus <i>Pistacia</i> from the Anacardiaceae family contains species of wild flowering plants. The only species that produces edible nuts large enough for commercial sale is <i>P. vera</i> L. (pistachio). Other species, such as <i>P. terebinthus</i> L., <i&...

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Main Author: Naser A. Alsharairi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Current Issues in Molecular Biology
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1467-3045/47/6/393
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author Naser A. Alsharairi
author_facet Naser A. Alsharairi
author_sort Naser A. Alsharairi
collection DOAJ
description The genus <i>Pistacia</i> from the Anacardiaceae family contains species of wild flowering plants. The only species that produces edible nuts large enough for commercial sale is <i>P. vera</i> L. (pistachio). Other species, such as <i>P. terebinthus</i> L., <i>P. atlantica</i> L., and <i>P. khinjuk</i>, are used as pistachio rootstocks. <i>Pistacia</i> species include phenolic compounds, such as flavonoids, essential oils, and tannins, which are responsible for a number of pharmacological properties. The species most commonly investigated for their anticancer and/or cytotoxic activities against cancer cells in experimental studies include <i>P. lentiscus</i>, <i>P. atlantica</i> subspecies, and <i>P. chinensis</i> subsp. <i>integerrima</i>. However, no review exists that evaluates the phenolic compounds of three other <i>Pistacia</i> species (<i>P. vera</i> L., <i>P. terebinthus</i> L., and <i>P. khinjuk</i>) and their anticancer and cytotoxic effects. Thus, this review aims to thoroughly assess the phenolic compounds that were isolated from these species and investigate any potential anticancer or cytotoxic effects on cancer cells. The findings show that <i>pistacia</i> species and their isolated phenolic compounds (phenolic acids, flavonoids, and essential oils) from different plant parts have anticancer activity against lung, cervical, prostate, gastric, colon, liver, renal, skin, and breast cancer cells. Additionally, certain phenolic compounds from <i>pistacia</i> species have cytotoxic activity; however, the degree of toxicity may vary based on the dosage and duration of use. Further experiments are required to fully understand the possible mechanisms underlying the anticancer and cytotoxic effects of <i>pistacia</i> species and their phenolic compounds on cancer cells.
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spelling doaj-art-b27db9b32d2f4fb7b08b5de397fb89122025-08-20T02:24:25ZengMDPI AGCurrent Issues in Molecular Biology1467-30371467-30452025-05-0147639310.3390/cimb47060393An Analysis of Three <i>Pistacia</i> Species’ Phenolic Compounds and Their Potential Anticancer and Cytotoxic Activities on Cancer Cells—A ReviewNaser A. Alsharairi0Heart, Mind and Body Research Group, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD 4222, AustraliaThe genus <i>Pistacia</i> from the Anacardiaceae family contains species of wild flowering plants. The only species that produces edible nuts large enough for commercial sale is <i>P. vera</i> L. (pistachio). Other species, such as <i>P. terebinthus</i> L., <i>P. atlantica</i> L., and <i>P. khinjuk</i>, are used as pistachio rootstocks. <i>Pistacia</i> species include phenolic compounds, such as flavonoids, essential oils, and tannins, which are responsible for a number of pharmacological properties. The species most commonly investigated for their anticancer and/or cytotoxic activities against cancer cells in experimental studies include <i>P. lentiscus</i>, <i>P. atlantica</i> subspecies, and <i>P. chinensis</i> subsp. <i>integerrima</i>. However, no review exists that evaluates the phenolic compounds of three other <i>Pistacia</i> species (<i>P. vera</i> L., <i>P. terebinthus</i> L., and <i>P. khinjuk</i>) and their anticancer and cytotoxic effects. Thus, this review aims to thoroughly assess the phenolic compounds that were isolated from these species and investigate any potential anticancer or cytotoxic effects on cancer cells. The findings show that <i>pistacia</i> species and their isolated phenolic compounds (phenolic acids, flavonoids, and essential oils) from different plant parts have anticancer activity against lung, cervical, prostate, gastric, colon, liver, renal, skin, and breast cancer cells. Additionally, certain phenolic compounds from <i>pistacia</i> species have cytotoxic activity; however, the degree of toxicity may vary based on the dosage and duration of use. Further experiments are required to fully understand the possible mechanisms underlying the anticancer and cytotoxic effects of <i>pistacia</i> species and their phenolic compounds on cancer cells.https://www.mdpi.com/1467-3045/47/6/393<i>Pistacia vera</i><i>Pistacia terebinthus</i><i>Pistacia khinjuk</i>phenolic compoundscytotoxicityanticancer activities
spellingShingle Naser A. Alsharairi
An Analysis of Three <i>Pistacia</i> Species’ Phenolic Compounds and Their Potential Anticancer and Cytotoxic Activities on Cancer Cells—A Review
Current Issues in Molecular Biology
<i>Pistacia vera</i>
<i>Pistacia terebinthus</i>
<i>Pistacia khinjuk</i>
phenolic compounds
cytotoxicity
anticancer activities
title An Analysis of Three <i>Pistacia</i> Species’ Phenolic Compounds and Their Potential Anticancer and Cytotoxic Activities on Cancer Cells—A Review
title_full An Analysis of Three <i>Pistacia</i> Species’ Phenolic Compounds and Their Potential Anticancer and Cytotoxic Activities on Cancer Cells—A Review
title_fullStr An Analysis of Three <i>Pistacia</i> Species’ Phenolic Compounds and Their Potential Anticancer and Cytotoxic Activities on Cancer Cells—A Review
title_full_unstemmed An Analysis of Three <i>Pistacia</i> Species’ Phenolic Compounds and Their Potential Anticancer and Cytotoxic Activities on Cancer Cells—A Review
title_short An Analysis of Three <i>Pistacia</i> Species’ Phenolic Compounds and Their Potential Anticancer and Cytotoxic Activities on Cancer Cells—A Review
title_sort analysis of three i pistacia i species phenolic compounds and their potential anticancer and cytotoxic activities on cancer cells a review
topic <i>Pistacia vera</i>
<i>Pistacia terebinthus</i>
<i>Pistacia khinjuk</i>
phenolic compounds
cytotoxicity
anticancer activities
url https://www.mdpi.com/1467-3045/47/6/393
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