Molecules, Vol. 23, Pages 2827: Potential Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Cancer Properties of Farnesol

Molecules, Vol. 23, Pages 2827: Potential Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Cancer Properties of Farnesol Molecules doi: 10.3390/molecules23112827 Authors: Young Yun Jung Sun Tae Hwang Gautam Sethi Lu Fan Frank Arfuso Kwang Seok Ahn Farnesol, an acyclic sesquiterpene alcohol, is predominantly found in essential oils of various plants in nature. It has been reported to exhibit anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory effects, and also alleviate allergic asthma, gliosis, and edema. In numerous tumor cell lines, farnesol can modulate various tumorigenic proteins and/or modulates diverse signal transduction cascades. It can also induce apoptosis and downregulate cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and cell survival. To exert its anti-inflammatory/anti-oncogenic effects, farnesol can modulate Ras protein and nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells activation to downregulate the expression of various inflammatory mediators such as cyclooxygenase-2, inducible nitric oxide synthase, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and interleukin-6. In this review, we describe the potential mechanisms of action underlying the therapeutic effects of farnesol against cancers and inflammatory disorders. Furthermore, these findings support the clinical development of farnesol as a potential pharmacological agent in clinical studies.
Source: Molecules - Category: Chemistry Authors: Tags: Review Source Type: research