Current mechanistic insights into Withaferin A: a promising potential adjuvant anticancer agent from Withania somnifera.

Abstract

Cancer remains a global health challenge, with drug resistance and disease recurrence posing significant obstacles despite advances in immunotherapy and targeted treatments. This has driven interest in natural products as sources of novel anticancer agents. Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha), a well-regarded plant in Ayurvedic medicine, is noted for its various therapeutic properties, including anticancer effects. Among its bioactive compounds, Withaferin A (WFA), a steroidal lactone, has shown notable promise in reducing inflammation, angiogenesis, and tumor proliferation with minimal toxicity. This review examines the anticancer properties of WFA, with a focus on its mechanisms of action, therapeutic efficacy, and safety profile across various cancer types. A comprehensive literature review was conducted, compiling data from in vitro and in vivo studies that investigate WFA's impact on cancer hallmarks, including apoptosis induction, angiogenesis reduction, and metastasis inhibition. Key molecular interactions with NFκB, STAT, HSP90, estrogen receptors, p53, and TGFβ pathways are highlighted. Findings indicate that WFA exhibits significant anticancer activity by modulating critical signaling pathways and inducing apoptosis with minimal adverse effects. In preclinical models, WFA demonstrated therapeutic potential across multiple cancers, such as breast, colon, prostate, ovarian, lung, and brain cancers. WFA represents a promising candidate for future cancer therapies, particularly as a natural adjuvant that could enhance treatment efficacy with low toxicity. Further clinical trials are needed to explore WFA's full potential and confirm its safety in human oncology.