Exploring the Potential of Rosemary Derived Compounds (Rosmarinic and Carnosic Acids) as Cancer Therapeutics - Current Knowledge and Future Perspectives

Sep 21, 2026

Uploaded by Jiven

Cancer remains a major global health challenge with high morbidity and mortality. Conventional treatments can cause significant side effects and often show limited success, driving demand for safer, more efficient alternatives. Plant-derived polyphenols have shown anticancer potential, especially rosmarinic acid and carnosic acid from rosemary, which exhibit anti-proliferative effects across multiple cancers. This review summarizes their anti-tumor activity and the biochemical and mechanistic pathways involved.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages18

Reading Time45 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Introduction

Cancer burden and limitations of conventional therapies

Medicinal plants as alternative sources

Key compounds and rationale

Rosmarinic acid and carnosic acid overview

Mechanistic basis (as discussed)

Anti-tumor effects and pathways

Review Biomol Ther 32(1), 38-55 (2024) Exploring the Potential of Rosemary Derived Compounds (Rosmarinic and Carnosic Acids) as Cancer Therapeutics: Current Knowledge and Future Perspectives Fazila Sirajudeen1, Lara J. Bou Malhab1, Yasser Bustanji1,2,3, Moyad Shahwan4,5, Karem H. Alzoubi1,6, Mohammad H. Semreen1,7, Jalal Taneera1,2, Waseem El-Huneidi1,2,* and Eman Abu-Gharbieh1,8,* 1Research Institute for Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates 2Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates 3Department ofBiopharmaceutics and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, The University of Jordan, Amman 11942, Jordan 4Centre of Medical and Bio-allied Health Sciences Research, Ajman University, Ajman 346, United Arab Emirates 5Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Ajman University, Ajman 346, United Arab Emirates 6Department of Pharmacy Practice and Pharmacotherapeutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates 7Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates 8Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates Abstract Cancer is a global health challenge with high morbidity and mortality rates. However, conventional cancer treatment methods often have severe side effects and limited success rates. In the last decade, extensive research has been conducted to develop safe, and efficient alternative treatments that do not have the limitations of existing anticancer medicines. Plant-derived compounds have shown promise in cancer treatment for their anti-carcinogenic and anti-proliferative properties. Rosmarinic acid (RA) and carnosic acid (CA) are potent polyphenolic compounds found in rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) extract. They have been extensively studied for their biological properties, which include anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer activities. In addition, RA and CA have demonstrated effective anti-proliferative properties against various cancers, making them promising targets for extensive research to develop candidate or leading compounds for cancer treatment. This review discusses and summarizes the anti-tumor effect of RA and CA against various cancers and highlights the involved biochemical and mechanistic pathways. Key Words: Rosmarinic acid, Carnosic acid, Anticancer, Plant-derived compound, Saliva Rosmarinus INTRODUCTION Cancer is a disease characterized by aberrant cellular proliferation resulting from dysfunctional checkpoint control mechanisms. Despite the availability of various treatments, including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and current personalized approaches, it remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide, with an estimated ten million deaths in the past two years (Upadhyay, 2021) . Unfortunately, common side effects associated with the existing treatments include hair loss, fatigue, fever, and immunosuppression, which can significantly impact the patient’s quality of life and limit the treatment’s effectiveness (Jain et al. , 2016) . Moreover, the potential decrease in effectiveness, high toxicity, and cost of these treatments pose significant challenges in clinical practice. Consequently, numerous studies are underway to develop alternative strategies to overcome these limitations and improve patient outcomes (Jain et al. , 2016) . Since ancient times, medicinal plants have been utilized as natural remedies for different health conditions (Menon and Open Access [https://doi.org/10.4062/biomolther.2023.054](https://doi.org/10.4062/biomolther.2023.054) This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License ([http://creativecommons.org/licens](http://creativecommons.

FAQs

Why are rosemary-derived compounds being explored for cancer therapeutics?

They are plant-derived polyphenols, with rosmarinic acid and carnosic acid reported to show anti-proliferative and anti-tumor effects against various cancers, making them promising targets for further development.

What biological activities are associated with rosmarinic acid and carnosic acid?

They are described as having anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer activities, alongside effective anti-proliferative properties.

What does the review focus on regarding these compounds?

It summarizes their anti-tumor effects across different cancers and highlights the biochemical and mechanistic pathways involved.

Sep 21, 2026

Uploaded by Jiven