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Review
. 2024 Nov 11;13(11):1376.
doi: 10.3390/antiox13111376.

Exploring the Therapeutic Potential of Theobroma cacao L.: Insights from In Vitro, In Vivo, and Nanoparticle Studies on Anti-Inflammatory and Anticancer Effects

Przemysław Sitarek  1 , Anna Merecz-Sadowska  2 , Joanna Sikora  3 , Weronika Osicka  4 , Igor Śpiewak  5 , Laurent Picot  6 , Tomasz Kowalczyk  5
Affiliations
Review

Exploring the Therapeutic Potential of Theobroma cacao L.: Insights from In Vitro, In Vivo, and Nanoparticle Studies on Anti-Inflammatory and Anticancer Effects

Przemysław Sitarek et al. Antioxidants (Basel). .

Abstract

Theobroma cacao L., commonly known as cocoa, has been an integral part of human culture and diet for thousands of years. However, recent scientific research has highlighted its potential therapeutic properties, particularly in the treatment of cancer and inflammatory diseases. This comprehensive review analyzes the anti-inflammatory and anticancer effects of Theobroma cacao extracts combined with nanoparticles using in vitro and in vivo studies. Its diverse biological activity can be attributed to its rich phytochemical profile, including polyphenols, flavonoids, and alkaloids. In vitro studies have found that cocoa extracts, alone or in combination with nanoparticles, inhibit cancer cell proliferation, induce apoptosis and modulate key signaling pathways in various cancer cell lines. The extracts have also been found to reduce tumor growth and enhance the efficacy of conventional chemotherapeutic agents, potentially reducing their side effects, in vivo. Its anti-inflammatory properties are based on its ability to modulate inflammatory mediators, inhibit NF-κB signaling, and regulate macrophage polarization. These effects have been observed in both cellular and animal models of inflammation. This review opens up new possibilities for future research and therapeutic applications, highlighting the potential of Theobroma cacao as a valuable complementary approach in the treatment and prevention of cancer and inflammatory diseases.

Keywords: Theobroma cacao; anti-inflammatory; anticancer; in vitro studies; in vivo studies; nanoparticles; polyphenols.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Global cocoa production.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Theobroma cacao L. (courtesy of the Missouri Botanical Garden and the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, ©RBG Kew).
Figure 3
Figure 3
Chemical structure of selected secondary metabolites of Theobroma cacao L. (ChemSketch (freeware), version 2023.2.4, Advanced Chemistry Development, Inc. (ACD/Labs), Toronto, ON, Canada, www.acdlabs.com accessed on 23 June 2024).
Figure 4
Figure 4
The potential mechanism of action of cocoa extract (Canva, version 1.97.0.0, Canva Inc., Sydney, Australia, https://www.canva.com accessed on 26 June 2024).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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