Ferulic Acid: A Natural Phenolic Compound with Anticancer Activity — A Comprehensive Review

Author

Bhavani N,Dr. R. Prabhu,Muneeshwaran G,Antony Vincy S,Ramprasath C


Abstract

 Ferulic acid (4-hydroxy-3-methoxycinnamic acid) is a ubiquitous hydroxycinnamic acid derivative found abundantly, in both free and bound forms, in the cell walls of cereals, fruits, vegetables, seeds and several medicinal plants. Beyond its long-recognised antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and hepatoprotective properties, a substantial and rapidly growing body of preclinical evidence now supports a meaningful anticancer role for this compound across a wide range of tumour types, including breast, colon, lung, liver, prostate, cervical, pancreatic, esophageal and renal cancers. Ferulic acid exerts these effects through multiple, often interconnected, molecular mechanisms: scavenging of reactive oxygen species, induction of mitochondria-mediated intrinsic apoptosis, arrest of the cell cycle at the G0/G1, S or G2/M checkpoints, modulation of the PI3K/Akt, MAPK, NF-κB and STAT3 signalling cascades, activation of autophagic and ferroptotic cell death, and suppression of angiogenesis, invasion and metastasis. It further sensitises malignant cells to conventional chemotherapeutic agents while sparing normal tissue, an attribute of considerable translational interest. Nevertheless, its poor aqueous solubility, extensive first-pass metabolism and short plasma half-life continue to restrict its clinical applicability, prompting the development of nanoparticulate, liposomal, self-emulsifying and polymer-conjugated delivery systems designed to enhance bioavailability and tumour-selective delivery. This review consolidates current knowledge of the chemistry, natural occurrence, pharmacokinetics, molecular anticancer mechanisms, structure-activity relationships, combinatorial strategies, delivery innovations, safety profile and translational challenges associated with ferulic acid, and outlines the research priorities that must be addressed before this dietary phenolic compound can be advanced towards clinical oncology.



Keywords

Ferulic acid; phenolic acid; anticancer; apoptosis; oxidative stress; nanoformulation; chemoprevention



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References


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