Molecular targets of ergosterol and its derivatives in cancer therapy: Recent trends and strategies to improve its bioavailability

Abstract

Cancer poses a major global health concern, with an alarming increase in incidence and associated mortality. Surgical resection of tumor, radiotherapy and chemotherapy remains the mainstay of therapeutic options available. Though these treatments do increase the life span of the patients but severely impact their quality of life due to their short term or long term adverse effects. The current research is therefore focused on exploring the natural compounds as an alternative and indeed many do exhibit anticancer activity. Complex metabolic reprogramming in cancer prompts the need for researchers to explore novel and innovative strategies to target such aberrant pathways by using safer and effective natural products. The present review focusses on Ergosterol, a mycosterol present in mushrooms which not only modulates the aberrant cholesterol homeostasis but also show independent anticancer activity due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and lipid lowering properties. In addition, the challenges and limitations related to its utility as a drug molecule and advancements in improving its pharmacological properties using chemical and physical modifications has also been addressed.