Fisetin, a Potent Anticancer Flavonol Exhibiting Cytotoxic Activity against Neoplastic Malignant Cells and Cancerous Conditions: A Scoping, Comprehensive Review

Diet plays a crucial role in homeostasis maintenance. Plants and spices containing flavonoids have been widely used in traditional medicine for thousands of years. Flavonols present in our diet may prevent cancer initiation, promotion and progression by modulating important enzymes and receptors in signal transduction pathways related to proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, inflammation, angiogenesis, metastasis and reversal of multidrug resistance. The anticancer activity of fisetin has been widely documented in numerous in vitro and in vivo studies. This review summarizes the worldwide, evidence-based research on the activity of fisetin toward various types of cancerous conditions, while describing the chemopreventive and therapeutic effects, molecular targets and mechanisms that contribute to the observed anticancer activity of fisetin. In addition, this review synthesized the results from preclinical studies on the use of fisetin as an anticancer agent. Based on the available literature, it might be suggested that fisetin has a bioactive potential to become a complementary drug in the prevention and treatment of cancerous conditions. However, more in-depth research is required to validate current data, so that this compound or its derivatives can enter the clinical trial phase.

Automated summary

Diet plays a crucial role in maintaining homeostasis, and plants and spices rich in flavonoids have been widely used in traditional medicine. Flavonols in our diet may prevent cancer by modulating important enzymes and receptors involved in various signaling pathways. Fisetin, a type of flavonol, has been extensively studied for its anticancer activity. This review summarizes the evidence-based research on fisetin's effects on different types of cancer, including its preventive and therapeutic effects, molecular targets, and mechanisms. It suggests that fisetin has the potential to become a complementary drug in cancer prevention and treatment, but more in-depth research is needed before entering clinical trials.