Marigold Extracts and Their Cytotoxic Effects on Cancer Cells: A Review

As a result of its ability to evade cell death and multiply uncontrolled, cancer remains a top killer globally. Conventional therapies such as chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery often result in severe side effects, drug resistance, and limited efficacy. Therefore, there is an ongoing search for safer, natural alternatives with potent anticancer activity. The genus Tagetes, particularly Tagetes erecta (marigold), belonging to the Asteraceae family, has shown promising therapeutic potential. Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer effects are attributed, in part, to the abundance of bioactive chemicals found. These substances include carotenoids (especially lutein and zeaxanthin), thiophenes, and triterpenoids. Essential oils and marigold extracts have been shown operative for cancer cells, including leukaemia, colon, and lung cancer, in both laboratory and animal experiments. These extracts induce apoptosis, arrest the cell cycle, and enhance antioxidant defenses. Toxicological studies indicate a high safety margin, with no major adverse effects observed in acute, subchronic, or chronic toxicity evaluations. This positions Tagetes erecta as a promising candidate for the development of novel anticancer therapies with minimal side effects.