Resveratrol and Cervical Cancer: A New Therapeutic Option

Abstract

Abstract: Globally, cervical cancer is the second most common cancer and the third main cause of death related to cancer in women. The cervical cancer mortality rate is higher in underdeveloped and developing vs. developed countries. Chronic infection with human papilloma virus (HPV) can trigger cervical cancer, by an interplay of a variety of pathways and molecules (i.e., inflammatory mediators, oxidative stress and apoptosis) leading to carcinogenesis and cancer progression. Cervical carcinoma is treatable in early stages, while it progresses to metastasis at advanced stages; however, generally it is poorly manageable with current treatment options. For future advances in the treatment of metastatic or recurrent cervical cancer carcinoma, identification of new therapeutic platforms is necessary. A new generation of drugs, herbs and spices afford novel opportunities for cancer therapy. Among the herb-based components, resveratrol has several beneficial effects given its anti-cancer activities (e.g., anti-angiogenesis, anti-proliferation, anti-metastatic and pro-apoptotic). Hence, this therapeutic agent may have promising potential if clinically corroborated to possess anti-cancer efficacy. Here, we summarize the chemopreventive and treatment actions of resveratrol for cervical cancer as well as its mechanism of action.