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A systematic review of potential anticancer activities of Muntingia calabura L. with a focus on cellular and molecular mechanisms


Citation

Hamoud Alseagh, Muna and Mohd Ali, Razana and Abdullah, Muhammad Nazrul Hakim and Zakaria, Zainul Amiruddin and Khalid, Melati (2025) A systematic review of potential anticancer activities of Muntingia calabura L. with a focus on cellular and molecular mechanisms. Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 21 (6). art. no. 1354. pp. 1-9. ISSN 1675-8544; eISSN: 2636-9346

Abstract

Introduction: Medicinal plants have been extensively explored for their chemopreventive and antiproliferative properties. Muntingia calabura has emerged as a promising candidate due to its ability to modulate various signaling pathways involved in cancer progression and suppression. This includes interactions with multiple cell signaling molecules that regulate cancer formation and development. Purpose: This review aims to critically evaluate the anticancer properties of M. calabura across different cancer types. Materials and methods: A systematic literature search was performed across major scientific databases, including ScienceDirect, PubMed, and Scopus. Studies were selected based on predefined inclusion criteria using the keywords "Muntingia calabura", “M. calabura”, “anticancer,” and "cancer." A total of 14 studies met the eligibility criteria and were analyzed for this review. Results: Evidence from the reviewed studies highlights the anticancer effects of M. calabura extracts, which include inhibition of inflammatory and apoptotic pathways. The modulation of dysregulated signaling cascades, such as the LOX, XO, and RAF1 pathways, was shown to contribute significantly to its anticancer activity. Conclusion: The findings support the potential application of M. calabura and its phytochemical constituents in cancer prevention and therapy. However, further in-depth studies are necessary to identify its bioactive compounds and elucidate the mechanisms underlying its anticancer effects for clinical translation.


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Additional Metadata

Item Type: Article
Subject: Medicine (all)
Divisions: Faculty of Medicine and Health Science
DOI Number: https://doi.org/10.47836/mjmhs.v21.i6.1354
Publisher: Universiti Putra Malaysia Press
Keywords: Anticancer; Chemoprevention; Flavonoids; Muntingia calabura; Phytochemicals
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, SDG 15: Life on Land
Depositing User: Ms. Nur Faseha Mohd Kadim
Date Deposited: 08 Jul 2026 09:03
Last Modified: 08 Jul 2026 09:03
Altmetrics: http://www.altmetric.com/details.php?domain=psasir.upm.edu.my&doi=10.47836/mjmhs.v21.i6.1354
URI: http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/126970
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