Unveiling the Therapeutic Potential of Isoliquiritigenin in Prostate Cancer: Insights from a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Prostate cancer is a significant and primary cause of cancer-related mortality among men worldwide with treatment challenges that include resistance to conventional therapies. Isoliquiritigenin (ISL) is a natural compound with anticancer properties which have emerged as a potential alternative. Purpose: This review explores the role of ISL in prostate cancer treatment by analyzing preclinical and clinical studies. Methodology: The relevant studies investigating the anticancer effect of ISL were identified using a systematic literature review across PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. Depending on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, the studies were screened and data was extracted regarding tumor growth inhibition, sample size, molecular pathways, etc. Quality assessment was performed with the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS), and the pooled data was analyzed using I² statistics to examine the potential of ISL as a treatment for prostate cancer. Results: A sum of 8 studies were included which met the criteria for meta-analysis. It demonstrated the anti-proliferative effects that induce apoptosis via depolarization in the mitochondrial membrane and the activation of caspase-3. The cell cycle halts at the G1 and G2/M phases by influencing p21 and p27. It also serves as a possible chemosensitizing agent. Conclusion: ISL shows anticancer properties through various mechanisms. It is recommended that ISL be used in combination therapies to address drug resistance. Further in vivo and clinical studies are needed to evaluate and assess the drug profile of ISL in human models. Keywords: Isoliquiritigenin, Prostate cancer, Apoptosis, Cell cycle arrest