Litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.): A comprehensive and critical review on cancer prevention and intervention

• Published in: Food chemistry 2024-11, Vol.457, p.140142, Article 140142
• Main Authors: Bishayee, Anupam, Kavalakatt, Joachim, Sunkara, Charvi, Johnson, Olivia, Zinzuwadia, Shweta S., Collignon, Taylor E., Banerjee, Sabyasachi, Barbalho, Sandra Maria
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic - chemistry; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic - pharmacology; Apoptosis - drug effects; Cancer; Cell Proliferation - drug effects; Fruit - chemistry; Humans; Intervention; Litchi; Litchi - chemistry; Molecular mechanisms; Neoplasms - drug therapy; Neoplasms - prevention & control; Phytochemicals; Plant Extracts - chemistry; Plant Extracts - pharmacology; Prevention
• ISSN: 0308-8146; 1873-7072; 1873-7072
• DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2024.140142

Litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) is a tropical fruit with various health benefits. The objective of this study is to present a thorough analysis of the cancer preventive and anticancer therapeutic properties of litchi constituents and phytocompounds. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis criteria were followed in this work. Various litchi extracts and constituents were studied for their anticancer effects. In vitro studies showed that litchi-derived components reduced cell proliferation, induced cytotoxicity, and promoted autophagy via increased cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Based on in vivo studies, litchi flavonoids and other extracted constituents significantly reduced tumor size, number, volume, and metastasis. Major signaling pathways impacted by litchi constituents were shown to stimulate proapoptotic, antiproliferative, and antimetastatic activities. Despite promising antineoplastic activities, additional research, especially in vivo and clinical studies, is necessary before litchi-derived products and phytochemicals can be used for human cancer prevention and intervention. •Litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) is a tropical fruit with various health benefits•We have evaluated the preventive and anticancer properties of litchi constituents•Litchi-derived components exert antiproliferative and proapoptotic activities•They also reduced tumor growth and metastasis in animal tumor models•Various litchi components target a plethora of cell signaling pathways