Nutraceuticals in Colon Cancer: Emerging Evidence, Mechanistic Insights and Clinical Applications

Abstract

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most common cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Recent evidences review these forms of nutraceuticals, originating from food sources as considerable chemopreventive and therapeutic potential in the management of colon cancer (CC).

Background: This general review aims to provide an overview of the role of these bioactive substances in colon cancer preventative and therapeutic strategies with special emphasis on molecular pathways, and the exploration of scientific and practical evidence-based data for their integration into cancer management.

Materials and methods: A systematic literature review using the PubMed, Web of Science and Google Scholar databases, of publication from 2018-2025. Keywords: Nutraceuticals, Bioactive compounds, Polyphenols, Probiotics, Dietary fiber, Colon cancer, Colorectal cancer, Prevention Studies were assessed at both preclinical and clinical levels.

Summary: Various nutraceutical classes possess inhibition potential against cancer through the modulation of several pathways (e.g., PI3K/Akt/mTOR), induction of apoptosis, arrest of the cell cycle, and stimulation of the immune system. Several mechanisms are potentially involved in this favorable association including the effects of the dietary fiber, polyphenols (curcumin, resveratrol, EGCG), probiotics, and certain micronutrients in both primary and adjuvant prevention. Nonetheless, its clinical translation has been limited, numerous trials examining efficacy and optimal dosing are underway.

Conclusions: Preclinical evidence is more persuasive and only incomplete in clinical evidence for nutraceuticals in colon cancer. The next frontier in colon cancer therapy is a rational and personalized strategy that incorporates safe and available evidence-based nutraceuticals along with standard oncological care, informed by biomarker-guided selection and a rigorous clinical evaluation.