A Critical Review on Anticancer Mechanisms of Natural Flavonoid Puerarin

Author(s):

Manikanta Murahari, Vikas Singh, Pramila Chaubey and Vasanti Suvarna*   Pages 678 - 686 ( 9 )

Abstract:

Cancer is one of the prominent global causes of death and the foremost worldwide health concern. Despite unprecedented progress in cancer chemoprevention, a vast number of cancers, however, remain an undefeatable challenge for treatment modalities. Immense therapeutic activities of puerarin contribute to its use in various health disorders. In this review, we explored the potential molecular mechanisms and targets of puerarin, proving its potential as a novel anticancer agent, for future cancer therapy and chemoprevention. Several mechanisms account for anticancer activity of puerarin which includes downregulation of NF-kB signalling pathway, mTOR signalling pathway, PI3K and BCl-2 proteins and upregulation of miR-16, caspase proteins, c- Jun N terminal kinase and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2. These alterations result in inhibition of cancer cell proliferation and/or induction of apoptosis. Understanding the molecular mechanisms involved in chemotherapy and chemoprevention could aid in the more pronounced exploration of puerarin in effective cancer treatment.

Keywords:

Puerarin, isoflavones, polyphenols, neoplasms, chemoprevention, adjuvant.

Affiliation:

Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences, Bangalore 560054, Karnataka, SVKM’s Dr. Bhanuben Nanavati College of Pharmacy, V.L. Mehta Road, Vile Parle (West), Mumbai 400056, Maharashtra, College of Pharmacy, Shaqra University, Al-Dawadmi, SVKM’s Dr. Bhanuben Nanavati College of Pharmacy, V.L. Mehta Road, Vile Parle (West), Mumbai 400056, Maharashtra

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