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Phytochemicals: a Natural Prospect Toward Healthcare—a Tryst with Karanjin

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Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, India Section B: Biological Sciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The majority of the world's population still relies on plant-based products as therapeutic agents to enhance health. Flavonoids are an important class of phytochemicals and possess a diverse spectrum of biological and pharmacological actions. Karanjin is a characteristic member of the furanoflavonoid family of compounds. It is the most abundant bioactive compound present in Karanj (Pongamia pinnata L.) seed oil. Karanjin has a diverse set of biological effects characterized both in vitro and in vivo. Its antioxidant, antimicrobial, antiviral, anti-ulcer, anti-colitis, and anti-inflammatory properties have sparked speculation regarding its potential use in healthcare applications. Recent reports of its cell-cycle inhibitory, anti-proliferative, and pro-apoptotic effects envisage the anticancer potential of Karanjin. However, its flavonoid structure and comprehensive genomic data suggest an estrogen (E2)-like effect, which creates a lacuna in its anticancer potential. Moreover, enrichment of the E2 signaling pathway, E2 regulated genes, and cell-cycle progression in estrogen receptors (ER) positive breast cancer cells proposes Karanjin as a novel E2-like compound and portrays its proliferative potential. The present review, while exposing a caveat to the anticancer potential of Karanjin, will inspire further investigations into the possible use of Karanjin or its derivatives in endocrine or combination therapies. Karanjin displays concentration dependent effect similar to other flavonoids. Whether Karanjin's E2-like or anticancer potential will render it more useful in endocrine therapy or chemotherapy remains to be explored, and further extensive research on the mechanism of action is warranted.

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Acknowledgements

GB thank the Ministry of Education, Government of India for the student fellowship. The authors extend their gratitude to Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering (BSBE) and Central Instrument Facility (CIF) of IIT Guwahati for the instrumentation facility. This article is a part of the symposium presentation in The National Academy of Sciences, India (NASI), 92nd Annual Session & Symposium on ‘Science & Technology—a vehicle for social transformation.’

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  1. Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, Assam, India, 781039

    Gaurav Bhatt, Anil Mukund Limaye & Latha Rangan

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  1. Gaurav Bhatt
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  2. Anil Mukund Limaye
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Correspondence to Anil Mukund Limaye or Latha Rangan.

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Significance statement: Karanjin's low toxicity and favorable safety profile make it well suited for integration into contemporary drug systems. Particularly noteworthy is Karanjin's dual nature in breast cancer cells, where it may interact with the estrogen receptor alpha (ER alpha), akin to other flavonoids. This interaction suggests a role in the development of alternatives to traditional endocrine therapy and chemopreventive drugs.

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Bhatt, G., Limaye, A.M. & Rangan, L. Phytochemicals: a Natural Prospect Toward Healthcare—a Tryst with Karanjin. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., India, Sect. B Biol. Sci. (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40011-024-01557-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40011-024-01557-9

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