Essential Oils as a Source of Anticancer Molecules: Critical Assessment of Current Evidence and Methodological Limitations—A Systematic Review
4 affiliations
- 1Department of Biological, Geological, and Environmental Sciences (BiGeA), University of Bologna, Via Selmi 3, 40126 Bologna, Italy
- 2Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy
- 3Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Unit, Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, University of Bologna, Via Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy
- 4Laboratory of Integrated Physiology (LR17ES02), Faculty of Sciences of Bizerte, University of Carthage, Bizerte 7021, Tunisia
Abstract
Essential oils (EOs) and their bioactive constituents have attracted growing interest as potential anticancer agents because they can target multiple pathways involved in tumor progression. However, the literature on their anticancer activity is highly heterogeneous and often limited by methodological weaknesses that reduce the reliability and translational value of the reported findings. This systematic review critically assessed the anticancer activity of EOs and EO-derived compounds by considering only studies that met defined methodological criteria. A PubMed search identified 872 articles published between 2015 and 2026, of which 97 were retained after screening based on EO chemical characterization, evaluation of cancer selectivity using non-tumoral control cells, and direct assessment of EO-driven anticancer effects. Across different tumor models, EOs and their constituents consistently showed selective cytotoxic or antiproliferative activity, commonly associated with oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, apoptosis, cell-cycle arrest, and modulation of oncogenic pathways. Some studies also reported reduced migration, invasion, and tumor-promoting signaling, while nanoformulation improved stability and efficacy in selected models. Overall, despite encouraging preclinical evidence, the translational potential of EO-based anticancer strategies remains limited by recurrent methodological shortcomings and insufficient in vivo validation. Standardized experimental criteria will be essential to improve reproducibility and support future clinical development.
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BibTeX
@article{spigarelli2026essential,
title = {{Essential Oils as a Source of Anticancer Molecules: Critical Assessment of Current Evidence and Methodological Limitations—A Systematic Review}},
author = {Renato Spigarelli and Maria Chiara Valerii and Alberto Bernacchi and Nikolas Konstantine Dussias and Lina Mbirki and Enzo Spisni},
journal = {International Journal of Molecular Sciences},
year = {2026},
month = may,
doi = {10.3390/ijms27104379},
url = {https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27104379},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Essential Oils as a Source of Anticancer Molecules: Critical Assessment of Current Evidence and Methodological Limitations—A Systematic Review
AU - Renato Spigarelli
AU - Maria Chiara Valerii
AU - Alberto Bernacchi
AU - Nikolas Konstantine Dussias
AU - Lina Mbirki
AU - Enzo Spisni
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/05/14
JO - International Journal of Molecular Sciences
DO - 10.3390/ijms27104379
UR - https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27104379
AB - Essential oils (EOs) and their bioactive constituents have attracted growing interest as potential anticancer agents because they can target multiple pathways involved in tumor progression. However, the literature on their anticancer activity is highly heterogeneous and often limited by methodological weaknesses that reduce the reliability and translational value of the reported findings. This systematic review critically assessed the anticancer activity of EOs and EO-derived compounds by considering only studies that met defined methodological criteria. A PubMed search identified 872 articles published between 2015 and 2026, of which 97 were retained after screening based on EO chemical characterization, evaluation of cancer selectivity using non-tumoral control cells, and direct assessment of EO-driven anticancer effects. Across different tumor models, EOs and their constituents consistently showed selective cytotoxic or antiproliferative activity, commonly associated with oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, apoptosis, cell-cycle arrest, and modulation of oncogenic pathways. Some studies also reported reduced migration, invasion, and tumor-promoting signaling, while nanoformulation improved stability and efficacy in selected models. Overall, despite encouraging preclinical evidence, the translational potential of EO-based anticancer strategies remains limited by recurrent methodological shortcomings and insufficient in vivo validation. Standardized experimental criteria will be essential to improve reproducibility and support future clinical development.
SN - 1422-0067
SN - 1661-6596
ER -