Anticancer Mechanism of D-limonene: An Updated Review and Therapeutic Possibilities

Background: Despite remarkable advancement in screening, diagnosis, and treatment modalities, cancer remains the second leading cause of death globally. Chemoprevention is considered to be a potential strategy for dealing with cancer incidence and mortality. The present demand for a less toxic well-tolerated natural anticancer compound that can be used for chemoprevention has drawn the attention towards D-limonene, which is a monocyclic monoterpene found in citrus oil. In recent years several in vitro and in vivo studies have supported the anticancer potential of D-limonene in various cancers. Although these studies have highlighted its course of action through immune modulation, anti-oxidant activity, apoptosis, autophagy, etc. various scientific pieces of evidence support the fact that it targets multiple pathways to inhibit cancer. Objective: The current review focuses on the molecular mechanisms underlying the anticancer activity of D-limonene and discusses its potential as a cost-effective chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic drug alone or in combination with other drugs. Methods: Scientific databases like Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, Google Scholar, PubMed Central, etc. have been used to review new insights into the anticancer mechanism of D-limonene. Conclusion: In this review, we discussed the overall significance of the anticancer mechanisms of D-limonene which include modulation of apoptosis, promotion of autophagy and inhibition of angiogenesis and metastasis. D-limonene also inhibits oncogenic signaling molecules and related transcription factors. Additionally, it also acts in combination with other anticancer compounds to inhibit cancer.