Surfactin, a cyclic lipopeptide biosurfactant produced by various strains of Bacillus genus, has been shown to induce cytotoxicity against many cancer types, such as Ehrlich ascites, breast and colon cancers, leukemia and hepatoma. Surfactin treatment can inhibit cancer progression by growth inhibition, cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, and metastasis arrest. Owing to the potent effect of surfactin on cancer cells, numerous studies have recently investigated the mechanisms that underlie its anticancer activity. The amphiphilic nature of surfactin allows its easy incorporation nano-formulations, such as polymeric nanoparticles, micelles, microemulsions, liposomes, to name a few. The use of nano-formulations offers the advantage of optimizing surfactin delivery for an improved anticancer therapy. This review focuses on the current knowledge of surfactin properties and biosynthesis; anticancer activity against different cancer models and the underlying mechanisms involved; as well as the potential application of nano-formulations for optimal surfactin delivery.

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Highlights Chronic intake of alcohol initiates a pathogenic process that involves the production of protein-aldehyde adducts, and release of cytokines. Involved gene polymorphisms may include alcohol dehydrogenase, cytochrome P4502E1, and those associated with alcoholism. Alcohol ingestion could be correlated to the risk of preterm births, there is no exact dose-response relationship. Oral drugs of pentoxifylline have reduced the severity of steatohepatitis in alcohol-use patients.