Palm Oil Tocotrienols in Cancer Chemoprevention and Therapy: Molecular Targets, Selectivity, and Clinical Translation
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.59890/mjst.v3i6.250Keywords:
Tocotrienols, Palm Oil, Cancer Chemoprevention, Apoptosis, NF-Κb, Bioavailability, Molecular Targets, Chemosensitisation, Nanocarriers, Clinical TrialsAbstract
Cancer remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with current chemotherapeutic approaches constrained by severe side effects and the emergence of drug resistance. Palm oil tocotrienols—the unsaturated members of the vitamin E family abundantly present in Elaeis guineensis—have attracted significant biomedical attention owing to their potent, multi-targeted anticancer activities combined with a favourable safety profile. This mini review synthesises evidence published mainly since 2020 on the molecular mechanisms, cancer-type–specific efficacy, chemosensitisation potential, bioavailability challenges, and clinical translation prospects of palm oil tocotrienols. Structurally distinct from tocopherols by virtue of three double bonds in their isoprenoid side chain, tocotrienols—particularly the γ and δ isoforms—inhibit tumour cell proliferation, induce apoptosis via the intrinsic and extrinsic pathways, suppress angiogenesis and metastasis, and trigger endoplasmic reticulum stress. These actions are mediated by convergent regulation of the NF-κB, PI3K/Akt/mTOR, Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK, HER2/ErbB2, and Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathways. Evidence spans multiple cancer types, including breast, colorectal, hepatocellular, prostate, pancreatic, and lung malignancies. Tocotrienols also demonstrate selective cytotoxicity against cancer cells while sparing normal tissues, and synergise with conventional chemotherapeutic agents to overcome resistance
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