Eugenol: An Insight Into the Anticancer Perspective and Pharmacological Aspects

Abstract

The aura of the 21st century has been transformed due to a revolutionized health care system and modern industrial applications. However, human health and well-being are still a global challenge, affected by various metabolic and pathological morbidities, causing millions of mortalities. Cancer is one of the leading causes of fatalities globally, occurring due to pathogens, dietary factors, environmental toxins, occupational chemical exposure, and radiation. These factors lead to oxidative stress (OS), inflammation, DNA damage, epigenetic and genetic mutations, cell proliferation, tumorigenesis, and other chronic metabolic disorders such as diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disorders, gastrointestinal problems, and hepato-renal syndrome. Among various types of cancers, lung cancer is leading them all, followed by breast and colorectal cancer (CRC). The oncogenesis includes activation of pro-inflammatory markers (IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α), resulting in overexpression of oncogenes, downregulation of tumor suppressor genes (TSGs) like p53, pRb, APC, PTEN, suppression of antioxidant enzymes (GSH, CAT, SOD), and activation of signaling pathways (PI3K/Akt/mTOR/NF-κB, Ras/MAPK). However, plant-based herbal medicine is a valuable, affordable, and available management approach to reduce the risks of oncogenesis and other ailments. The bioactive compounds of these herbs make them an effective way to reduce inflammation, cancer, and the risk of other health problems. Eugenol (Eug), a volatile phenolic bioactive compound with a formula of C10H12O2, has been reported to have anticancer, antidiabetic, cardio- and pulmonary protective roles. Moreover, it can improve gut health and prevent neurodegenerative disorders. According to WHO, the safe dose of eugenol is 2.5 mg/kg for consumption. The current review focuses on the anticancer potential and other pharmacological aspects of eugenol through possible mechanisms.

Keywords: IL‐6; TNF‐α; breast cancer; eugenol; hypoglycemia; lung cancer; toxicity.

FIGURE 1

Anticancer potential of eugenol against various cancer types.

FIGURE 2

Inflammation and cancer mechanism through activation of pro‐inflammatory markers, genetic mutations conversion of proto‐oncogenes to oncogenes, reduction of the antioxidant enzyme system, and suppression of TSGs.

FIGURE 3

Anticancer potential of eugenol against gastric cancer through modulation of TGF‐β, downregulation of NF‐κB, induction of apoptosis, reduction of angiogenesis, inhabitation of metastatic cells, disruption of bacterial membrane, and bacterial cell death.

FIGURE 4

Anticancer potential of eugenol against skin cancer through upregulation of caspase‐9/7/3, Bax, MITF, TRP‐1, and TRP‐2, downregulation of Bcl‐2, modulation of NF‐κB, IL‐1β, TNF‐α, and IL‐6, and inhibition of cell proliferation and migration.