Exploring the therapeutic role of carnosol in cancer: from molecular insights to clinical promise

Cancer is a leading cause of mortality worldwide, triggering healthcare system challenges and emphasizing the need for targeted treatment methods. Traditional cancer treatments can be ineffective, have long response times, and cause significant side effects that lower patients' quality of life. Recently, attention has switched to natural compounds with anticancer properties. Carnosol, a phenolic diterpene found in rosemary and sage, is a promising alternative. Carnosol has diverse biological effects, including influencing cellular signaling pathways for proliferation, apoptosis, inflammation, and oxidative stress. Recent research has revealed its anticancer properties, preventing tumor growth and progression in breast, prostate, colorectal, and glioblastoma multiforme. Carnosol's potential as a multi-targeted therapeutic drug is supported by these findings, paving the way for its clinical usage in cancer treatment.