Mechanistic insight into carnosol-mediated pharmacological effects: Recent trends and advancements

For several decades, bioactive phytochemicals have been appreciated to prevent and cure various lethal diseases. Many studies have proven the ability of dietary phytochemicals to avoid and retard tumor initiation and progression. Among the pharmacologically active moieties, terpenoids are considered one of the most important classes. Carnosol, is also a kind of diterpenoid, which known to possess a range of therapeutic effects such as anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidant activities. All these effects are mediated via modulating different signaling cascades, including apoptosis regulating molecules (Bax/Bcl2), prosurvival-proproliferative molecules (Akt/mTOR, MAPK), transcription factors like NF-kappaB, STAT3-6, and steroid receptors, such as androgen and estrogen receptors. The present review highlights the recent trends and advancements have been done in the field of research by using carnosol. (C) 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.