Targeting the hallmarks of cancer: A literature review on the multi-modal anticancer properties of xanthorrhizol

Cancer continues to be a major global health burden, necessitating the development of effective and targeted therapies. The conceptual framework of the ten hallmarks of cancer has advanced our understanding of tumor biology and guided the discovery of novel therapeutic strategies. Natural products, particularly phytochemicals, have emerged as a valuable source of anticancer agents due to their biological activity. One such compound is xanthorrhizol, a bioactive sesquiterpenoid extracted from Curcuma xanthorrhiza. This literature review explores the anticancer mechanisms of xanthorrhizol through the lens of the hallmarks of cancer, providing a structured overview of current experimental findings and identifying gaps for future investigation. Xanthorrhizol exerts broad anticancer effects through its influence on multiple cancer hallmarks, namely proliferation, apoptosis, angiogenesis, inflammation, and metastasis. While promising, more mechanistic and clinical studies are needed to validate its use as an anticancer therapy.