Anticancer activity of the plant flavonoid luteolin against preclinical models of various cancers and insights on different signalling mechanisms modulated

Various signaling mechanisms contribute significantly to the development of multiple cancers. Small molecules with the potential of influencing a wide variety of molecular targets may prove as broad-spectrum anticancer agents. Flavonoids from plant sources are strongly emerging as promising antineoplastic molecules because of their ability to hamper different cancer-driving signaling pathways. Further, these flavonoids offer an additional benefit due to their congenital antioxidant potential. This paper discusses the anticancer activity of luteolin against a number of cancers including leukemias, prostate cancer, pancreatic cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer, colorectal cancer, melanoma, liver, gastric, and brain cancer. Strong emphasis has been laid on key molecular mechanisms impacted by luteolin for exerting antineoplastic effect. Importantly, certain epigenetic targets like histone deacetylases (HDACs), DNA methylation regulator enzymes that are influenced by this befitting flavone for inducing cytotoxicity in certain preclinical cancer models, have also been made the part of this review. Additionally, the significantly improved therapeutic benefits of luteolin in combination with other therapeutics are comprehensively discussed. The current loopholes in luteolin research are also considered, which may open novel routes for further valuable studies on this promising flavone.