Recent study on the anticancer activity of nobiletin and its metabolites

Abstract

The exploration of naturally occurring phytochemicals with antitumor potential has been the focus of many studies. Nobiletin, a polymethoxyflavone (PMF) exclusively derived from citrus peels, has been reported as a promising candidate for the prevention and/or treatment of cancers. Additionally, multiple demethylated derivatives of nobiletin from in vivo biotransformation, including 3′-demethylnobiletin (3′-DMN), 4′-demethylnobiletin (4′-DMN), 3′,4′-didemethylnobiletin (3′,4′-DDMN) and 5-demethylnobiletin (5-DMN), among others, have been found to show anti-cancer activity. In this review, the anticancer activity of nobiletin and its derivatives in cancer prevention are comprehensively described.