Geraniol suppresses tumour growth and enhances chemosensitivity of 5-fluorouracil on breast carcinoma in mice: involvement of miR-21/PTEN signalling

Abstract

Objectives Breast cancer is the most diagnosed cancer in females worldwide. Phytochemicals are among the recent compelling approaches showing anticancer activity. Geraniol is a monoterpenoid showing anti-tumoral potential in cell lines. However, its exact mechanism in breast cancer has not been elucidated. In addition, the possible chemosenstizing effect of geraniol when combined with chemotherapeutic drugs in breast carcinoma has not been previously addressed. Methods Therefore, the aim of the current work is to investigate the potential therapeutic as well as chemosensitizing effects of geraniol on breast carcinoma induced in mice through examination of tumour biomarkers and histopathology profile. Key findings Results showed a prominent suppression of tumour growth following geraniol treatment. This was accompanied with miR-21 downregulation that subsequently upregulated PTEN and suppressed mTOR levels. Geraniol was also able to activate apoptosis and inhibit autophagy. Histopathological examination revealed high necrosis areas separating malignant cells in the geraniol-treated group. Combined geraniol and 5-fluorouracil treatment induced more than 82% inhibition of tumour rate, surpassing the effect of each drug alone. Conclusions It can be concluded that geraniol could represent a promising avenue for breast cancer treatment as well as a potential sensitizing agent when combined with chemotherapeutic drugs.

Essential Oils: Chemistry and Pharmacological Activities—Part II

“…This reinforces geraniol as a multi-targeted anticancer agent that seems to act through several molecular pathways, a feature that increases its effectiveness for cancer control [ 179 ]. Of note, geraniol was recently shown to upregulate PTEN through the downregulation of mir-21 in an in vivo breast cancer model [ 180 ]. This suggests that the monoterpene could also modulate epigenetic processes that are key for cancer prevention.…”

Targeted Delivery of Geraniol via Hyaluronic Acid-Conjugation Enhances Its Anti-Tumor Activity Against Prostate Cancer

“…19 Geraniol has also displayed excellent anticancer effects in various cancer models, including breast, lung, colon, pancreatic, skin, liver, kidney, and prostate. [20][21][22][23] Carnesecchi et al utilized a mouse model with TC-118 human tumors to compare the dominant anti-tumor efficacy of geraniol with 5-fluorouracil. 22 Several studies have demonstrated that geraniol induces apoptosis and autophagy and disrupts the cell cycle pathway in prostate cancer cells.…”