Thymol as adjuvant in oncology: molecular mechanisms, therapeutic potentials, and prospects for integration in cancer management
Autor
Herrera-Bravo, Jesús
Belén, Lisandra Herrera
Reyes, María Elena
Silva, Victor
Fuentealba, Soledad
Paz, Cristian
Loren, Pía
Salazar, Luis A.
Sharifi-Rad, Javad
Calina, Daniela
Resumen
Cancer remains a global health challenge, prompting a search for effective treatments with fewer side effects. Thymol, a natural monoterpenoid phenol derived primarily from thyme (Thymus vulgaris) and other plants in the Lamiaceae family, is known for its diverse biological activities. It emerges as a promising candidate in cancer prevention and therapy. This study aims to consolidate current research on thymol’s anticancer effects, elucidating its mechanisms and potential to enhance standard chemotherapy, and to identify gaps for future research. A comprehensive review was conducted using databases like PubMed/MedLine, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect, focusing on studies from the last 6 years. All cancer types were included, assessing thymol’s impact in both cell-based (in vitro) and animal (in vivo) studies. Thymol has been shown to induce programmed cell death (apoptosis), halt the cell division cycle (cell cycle arrest), and inhibit cancer spread (metastasis) through modulation of critical signaling pathways, including phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), protein kinase B (AKT), extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR), and Wnt/β-catenin. It also enhances the efficacy of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in colorectal cancer treatments. Thymol’s broad-spectrum anticancer activities and non-toxic profile to normal cells underscore its potential as an adjunct in cancer therapy. Further clinical trials are essential to fully understand its therapeutic benefits and integration into existing treatment protocols. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2024.
Colecciones
Ítems relacionados
Mostrando ítems relacionados por Título, autor o materia.
-
Review
Curcumin as a therapeutic agent in leukemia (2020)
Kouhpeikar H.; Butler A.E.; Bamian F.; Barreto G.E.; Majeed M.; Sahebkar A. (Wiley-Liss Inc., 2019) -
Article
Targeting the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) in astrocytes as a potential therapeutic target in Parkinson’s disease (2020)
Jurado-Coronel J.C.; Ávila-Rodriguez M.; Capani F.; Gonzalez J.; Morán V.E.; Barreto G.E. (Bentham Science Publishers, 2016) -
Article
Adaptation to change questionnaire for nurses: Validation and new needs in the context of COVID-19 (2022)
Barragán-Martín, Ana Belén; Molero-Jurado, María Del Mar; Pérez-Fuentes, María Del Carmen; Santillán García, Azucena; Jiménez-Rodríguez, Diana; Fernández Martínez, Elena; Herrera-Peco, Iván; Martos Martínez, África; Valenzuela, Raquel Franco; Mateo-Rodríguez, Inmaculada Méndez; ... (MDPI, 2021-12)Background: The worldwide pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus has chal-lenged healthcare systems and the professionals who work in them. This challenge involves strong changes to which nurses have had to quickly ...