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Review
. 2024 Mar 11;17(3):361.
doi: 10.3390/ph17030361.

Natural Compounds and Breast Cancer: Chemo-Preventive and Therapeutic Capabilities of Chlorogenic Acid and Cinnamaldehyde

Yusuff Olayiwola  1 , Lauren Gollahon  1   2
Affiliations
Review

Natural Compounds and Breast Cancer: Chemo-Preventive and Therapeutic Capabilities of Chlorogenic Acid and Cinnamaldehyde

Yusuff Olayiwola et al. Pharmaceuticals (Basel). .

Abstract

Globally, breast cancer is not only the most frequently diagnosed cancer but also the leading cause of cancer death in women. Depending on breast cancer histotype, conventional breast cancer treatment options vary greatly in efficacy and accompanying side effects. Thus, there is a need for more effective and safer strategies that impact breast cancer at all stages. Plant-based natural products are easily available, with them proving effective and inexpensive. Two such phytochemicals are chlorogenic acid and cinnamaldehyde. Studies have shown their efficacy against different molecular subtypes of breast cancers in vitro and in vivo. In this review, we discuss their current status in anticancer research with specific emphasis on chlorogenic acid and cinnamaldehyde. We describe their multiple mechanisms of action in destroying breast cancer cells, their potential uses, and the need for translational applications. We also include future directions for investigations to progress chlorogenic acid and cinnamaldehyde research from bench to bedside.

Keywords: breast cancer; chlorogenic acid; cinnamaldehyde; natural compounds; phytochemicals.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Mechanisms of actions of phytochemicals in breast cancer cells: Phytochemicals elicit their antineoplastic potential through several mechanisms indicated here. Various pathways that are central to the progression and aggressiveness of cancer cells are often impacted by phytochemicals, including multi-drug resistance and metastasis.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Chemical structures of (A) chlorogenic acid and (B) cinnamaldehyde.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Mechanisms of actions of chlorogenic acid and cinnamaldehyde in breast cancer cells. Chlorogenic acid and cinnamaldehyde assert their breast cancer-killing capacity via various mechanistic processes. As indicated above, the compounds impact several molecular targets and pathways in breast cancer cells to shut down their overall survival. Up arrow indicates upregulation. Down arrow indicates downregulation.
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