Sesquiterpenes and prostate cancer

Abstract Prostate cancer is among the tumors that contribute to the increasing male mortality rate due to cancer worldwide. Treatment options for prostate cancer include active surveillance, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, focal therapy, and surgery. Ongoing research investigates alternative treatment modalities, such as traditional medicine and natural products, to address prostate cancer, drug resistance, and the side effects linked to current treatment options. Sesquiterpenes are a group of substances that are naturally made up of three isoprene units, hence fifteen carbons bound together. An extensive number of naturally occurring products—nearly 5000 in total—are categorised as secondary metabolites in the context of medicinal plants, marine organisms and fungi. Numerous of them possess many biological activities, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and especially cytotoxic activity. Sesquiterpenes are an interesting group that was investigated due to their widespread occurrence and promising effects. Several studies have shown significant effects of sesquiterpenes on many types of cancer, including prostate cancer. Therefore, this review aims to include in vitro, in vivo and clinical studies of sesquiterpenes in prostate cancer. Based on the ring system, this review categorises sesquiterpenes as acyclic, monocyclic, bicyclic sesquiterpenes and other sesquiterpenes and their derivatives. A summary of sesquiterpenes' current status as cytotoxic with the potential for anticancer therapy agents is given concerning prostate cancer. Graphical abstract