Eugenol’s anti-cancer properties, its modulation of signalling pathways, and cascades across various cancers: A review

• Summarizes recent findings on eugenol, a natural phenolic compound, and its anticancer activity across multiple cancer types. • Anti-apoptotic, anti-angiogenic, and anti-metastatic properties of eugenol in cancer cell lines and in vivo animal models. • Insightful overview of the anticancer properties of the anticancer molecule for the treatment and prevention of cancer. Several cancer drugs show drug resistance, which is a significant concern for cancer therapy. Therefore, new molecules are required for cancer treatment as anticancer drugs. Recently, several natural bioactive components from medicinal plants have demonstrated anticancer activity and are being marketed as anticancer drugs. Eugenol, a significant bioactive compound, is found in cloves and other traditional Indian medicinal plants, such as cinnamon, tulsi, ginger, turmeric, and Japanese star anise, which have been reported to have significant anticancer properties. The present review highlights the anticancer properties of eugenol. It also exhibits different pharmacological effects (anti-inflammatory, cardio-protection, and neuroprotection). As an anticancer molecule, eugenol exhibits anti-apoptotic, anti-angiogenic, and anti-metastatic properties in cancer cell lines and in vivo animal models, which we discuss in this review. We also discuss Eugenol’s effect on different signaling pathways in cancer. Finally, recent diverse anticancer studies of Eugenol have been discussing the different cancer types, such as breast cancer, gastric cancer, liver cancer, lung cancer, prostate cancer, ovarian cancer, cervical cancer, gliomas, oral cancers, skin cancer, leukemia, colorectal cancers, osteosarcoma, melanomas, etc. The current review provides an insightful overview of the anticancer properties of Eugenol in the treatment and prevention of cancer, ultimately benefiting society.