Nano-formulated Flavonoids in Cancer Prevention and Treatment: A Systematic Review of Therapeutic Potential

Introduction: Medical research has confirmed that cancer is the second leading cause of death due to illness and a significant public health issue. Reports indicate that lung cancer is most commonly diagnosed in older males aged 60 to 84. Interestingly, females under the age of 45 exhibit a higher incidence rate of lung cancer compared to males. The use of conventional drugs triggers the activation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) in tumor cells, which leads to reduced cell death and increased drug resistance. Additionally, this activation causes toxicity, resulting in a poor therapeutic response. The objective of this review is to focus on the anticancer potential of various flavonoids and their nanoformulations, which can be integrated into the treatment of cancer. Methods: The screening process involved collecting the required data, including the global status of cancer, its prevalence, conventional therapies for cancer, the challenges and limitations of traditional treatments, the current search for phytomedicines as alternative therapy, the role of flavonoids in chemotherapy, and the development of advanced nano-delivery systems of flavonoids for cancer treatment. Results: Selected polyphenolic and flavonoid compounds such as quercetin, naringenin, luteolin, genistein, curcumin, epigallocatechin gallate, fisetin, rutin, myricetin, apigenin, and hesperidin possess protective abilities and are responsible for minimizing the chances of tumor formation through NF-κB and cytokine modulation, as studied by both in vitro and in vivo methods. They can disrupt the function of several growth factors and transcription factors that support tumor growth, including VEGF, AP-1, and the NF-κB pathway. According to in vitro and in vivo research, many nanotechnology- based strategies have been developed to transport flavonoids to cancer cells to overcome these limitations. However, the therapeutic properties of flavonoids are hampered by poor systemic bioavailability. Discussion: Here, we highlight the importance of flavonoid formulations based on nanoparticles for the safe delivery of flavonoids to tumor tissues with high efficiency by modulating key signaling pathways and influencing the tumor microenvironment. Conclusion: The applications of nanotechnology for enhancing the bioavailability and targeting of flavonoids in cancer therapy have been explored. This review emphasizes the anticancer potential of various flavonoids and their nanoformulations, which can be integrated into the treatment of cancer.