An Updated Review of Molecular Mechanisms Implicated with the Anticancer Potential of Diosgenin and Its Nanoformulations

Pratibha Pandey,1,2 Seema Ramniwas,3 Lalji Baldaniya,4 Sorabh Lakhanpal,5 Danish Mahmood,6 Kamlesh Chaudhary,7 Shivam Pandey,8 Min Choi,9 Jinwon Choi,9 Hyo Jeong Kim,9 Chi-Hoon Ahn,9 Moon Nyeo Park,9 Fahad Khan,10 Bonglee Kim9 1Centre for Research Impact and Outcome, Chitkara University Institute of Engineering and Technology, Chitkara University, Rajpura, Punjab, 140401, India; 2Chitkara Centre for Research and Development, Chitkara University Himachal Pradesh, Baddi, India; 3Department of Biotechnology, University Centre of Research and Development, Chandigarh University Gharuan, Mohali, Punjab, India; 4Marwadi University Research Center, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Marwadi University, Rajkot, Gujarat, 360003, India; 5School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab, India; 6Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Qassim University, Buraydah, 51452, Saudi Arabia; 7Department of Neurology, National Institute of Medical Sciences, NIMS University Rajasthan, Jaipur, India; 8Department of Life Sciences, School of Applied and Life Sciences, Uttaranchal University, Dehradun, India; 9Department of Pathology, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Hoegidong Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, 02447, Republic of Korea; 10Center for Global Health Research Saveetha Medical College, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Chennai, IndiaCorrespondence: Fahad Khan; Bonglee Kim, Email [email protected]; [email protected]: Dietary components have gained broader recognition in preventing and managing numerous human carcinomas. Plant-derived natural compounds offer several benefits, including their limited toxicity and multi-targeted agents in modulating deregulated oncogenic pathways, including PI3K/AKT, NF-κB/STAT3, and HIF-1α, and hence, they emerged as better chemotherapeutic alternatives. Diosgenin (phytosteroidal saponin) and its nanoformulations have been extensively reported to impact cancer progression and metastasis. Research has indicated that diosgenin and its nanoformulations possess significant anticancer potential with improved bioavailability. However, novelty of this review relies on compiling the updated anticancer role of diosgenin and its nanoformulations in modulating numerous oncogenic targets associated with carcinogenesis and metastasis. Diosgenin has also been utilized with traditional therapies to enhance the sensitivity of cancerous cells towards normal chemotherapeutic processes. More focus should be given to gain detailed insights about the mechanisms associated with the anticancer potential of diosgenin and its nanoformulations, which can further potentiate its candidature in developing efficient cancer therapies. However, more preclinical studies are warranted to exploit the anticancer efficacy of this plant-based compound in an efficient manner. Keywords: diosgenin, nano-formulations, sapogenin, anticancer, signaling pathways, chemotherapeutics