Anticancer Potential of Naringenin, Biosynthesis, Molecular Target, and Structural Perspectives

Numerous novel medicinal agents isolated from plant sources were used as indigenous remedies for the management and treatment of various types of cancer diseases. Naringenin is a naturally occurring flavanone glycoside, and aglycone (genin) moiety of naringin, predominantly found in citrus and grapefruits, has emerged as a potential therapeutic agent for the management of a variety of diseases. A number of scientific papers have been published on naringenin describing its detailed studies and its therapeutic application in different diseases. The current study highlights a comprehensive study on naringenin concerning its biosynthesis, molecular targets/pathways involved in carcinogenesis, mechanism of actions (MOAs), and structure-activity relationships (SARs), and patents granted have been highlighted. Naringenin and its derivatives have great anti-cancer activity due to their inhibitory potential against diverse targets, namely ABCG2/P-gp/BCRP, 5a-reductase, 17MMP-2/9, JAK/STAT signaling pathways, CDC25B, tubulin, topoisomerase-II, cathepsin-K, Wnt, NF-kB, B-Raf and mTOR, etc. With the in-depth knowledge of molecular targets, structural intuition, and SARs, the current study may be beneficial to design more potent, safe, effective, and economic anti-cancer naringenin. This has been concluded that naringenin is a promising natural product for the management and therapy of cancer. Further evolution for pharmacological importance, clinical research, and trials are required to manifest its therapeutic action on metabolic syndrome in the human community.