Anacardic acid (AA) is a bioactive phytochemical found in nutshell of Anacardium occidentale. Chemically, it is a mixture of several closely related organic compounds, each consisting of salicylic acid substituted with an alkyl chain. The traditional Ayurveda depicts nutshell oil as a medicinal remedy for alexeritic, amebicidal, gingivitis, malaria and syphilitic ulcers. However, the enduring research and emerging evidence suggests that AA could be a potent target molecule with bactericide, fungicide, insecticide, anti-termite and molluscicide properties and as a therapeutic agent in the treatment of the most serious pathophysiological disorders like cancer, oxidative damage, inflammation and obesity. Furthermore, AA was found to be a common inhibitor of several clinically targeted enzymes such as NFjB kinase, histone acetyltransferase (HATs), lipoxygenase (LOX-1), xanthine oxidase, tyrosinase and ureases. In view of this, we have made an effort to summarize the ongoing research on the therapeutical role of AA and its derivatives. The current MiniReview sheds light on the pharmacological applications, toxicity and allergic responses associated with AA and its derivatives. Although the available records are promising, much more detailed investigations into the therapeutical properties, particularly the anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory activities, are urgently needed. We hope the present MiniReview will attract and encourage further research on elucidating and appreciating the possible curative properties of AA and its derivatives in the management of multifactorial diseases.Plant medicines play a vital role in human health and diseases. According to the WHO, in recent times, more than 80% of the world's population in developing countries depends primarily on herbal medicines for basic healthcare needs. The ancient ayurvedic preparations and usage have proven the healing abilities of plants, undoubtedly. Hence, a large proportion of drugs used in modern medicine are either directly isolated from plants or synthetically modified from a lead compound of natural origin. Medicinal plant extracts and their isolated compounds are often used as an alternative for the drugs with associated complications in the treatment of many disorders [1,2].In the course, anacardic acid (AA) ( fig. 1A) and its related compounds from Anacardium occidentale (an angiosperm belonging to the Anacardiaceae family) seed (Cashew nutshell) have received great attention by the chemicobiology researchers and pharmaceutical companies. AA alone constitutes about 90% of the cashew nutshell liquid (CNSL), and the remaining part is constituted by AA-related compounds such as cardanol, cardol and 2-methyl cardol ( fig. 1B-D) [3]. It is a yellow liquid partially miscible in alcohol and ether but nearly immiscible in water [4,5]. Chemically, AA is a mixture of several closely related organic compounds each consisting of a salicylic acid substituted with saturated or unsaturated alkyl chain that has 15-17 carbon.Outstandingly, AA claims a lion'...
