Malvidin and its glycosides in cancer treatment: Mechanisms, synergies and drug delivery strategies

INTRODUCTION: Malvidin, a major dietary anthocyanidin abundant in fruits and vegetables, has attracted considerable attention due to its potential anticancer activity. Although several preclinical and emerging clinical studies have reported its therapeutic benefits, a comprehensive overview of its molecular mechanisms, synergistic applications, and delivery challenges remains limited. This review summarizes the anticancer potential of malvidin and its glycosides across multiple cancers, including oral, skin, colon, prostate, lung, breast, liver, brain, and hematological malignancies. METHODOLOGY: A systematic literature review was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, supplemented by citation mining. Relevant peer-reviewed studies published in English were screened using keywords such as "malvidin," "malvidin glycosides," "cancer," "nanoformulation," and "clinical trials." Both in vitro and in vivo studies reporting quantitative or mechanistic anticancer evidence were included. RESULTS: Available evidence demonstrates that malvidin exerts anticancer effects through multiple mechanisms, including induction of apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, inhibition of proliferation, modulation of oxidative stress, suppression of angiogenesis, and regulation of oncogenic signaling pathways. In addition, malvidin exhibits synergistic activity with conventional chemotherapeutics, enhancing therapeutic efficacy and chemosensitivity. Advanced drug-delivery approaches, such as nanoencapsulation, micelle formation, and cyclodextrin complexation, have shown promise in improving its stability and bioavailability. Recent patents and emerging clinical studies further support its translational relevance. DISCUSSION: Overall, malvidin represents a promising dietary bioactive for cancer prevention and adjunctive therapy. However, further pharmacokinetic, toxicological, and large-scale clinical investigations are necessary to establish its long-term safety, efficacy, and clinical applicability in cancer management.