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Volume 27
Issue 18
10.3390/ijms27187999
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Review

Anticancer Potential of Cherry Extracts and Major Flavonols: Focus on Quercetin and Kaempferol Molecular Mechanisms in Breast Cancer

by
Evangelia K. Konstantinou
1,
Kallirroi Dimiza
2,
Maria Dimitriou
1,
Anastasios Darras
2 and
Athanasios A. Panagiotopoulos
1,*
1
Department of Nutritional Science and Dietetics, School of Health Sciences, University of the Peloponnese, Antikalamos, 24100 Kalamata, Greece
2
Department of Agriculture, School of Agriculture and Food, University of the Peloponnese, Antikalamos, 24100 Kalamata, Greece
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(18), 7999; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27187999
Submission received: 30 July 2026 / Revised: 30 August 2026 / Accepted: 8 September 2026 / Published: 8 September 2026
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Compounds from Food in Health and Diseases)
Versions Notes

Abstract

Breast cancer remains one of the leading causes of global mortality, which has growing driving interest in dietary natural products for potential chemopreventive and complementary approaches. Cherries (Prunus species) are rich in bioactive phytochemicals, notably anthocyanins, hydroxycinnamic acids, and the flavonols quercetin and kaempferol. This review aims to examine and discuss current research on the molecular targets and mechanisms of action of whole cherry extracts and their primary flavonols quercetin and kaempferol across various breast cancer subtypes. Preclinical studies indicate that these compounds exert multi-targeted effects by inducing apoptosis, inhibiting cell proliferation, and suppressing metastatic pathways. Additionally, these flavonols show potential in reversing multidrug resistance. A whole-food approach highlights the candidate synergistic properties of these phytochemical complexes, but low oral bioavailability and rapid metabolism severely limit their clinical translation. Therefore, utilizing innovative drug delivery systems remains crucial to improving their stability, absorption, and overall therapeutic efficacy.
Keywords: breast cancer; cherries; phytochemicals; polyphenols; flavonols; quercetin; kaempferol; chemoprevention; apoptosis; cytotoxicity breast cancer; cherries; phytochemicals; polyphenols; flavonols; quercetin; kaempferol; chemoprevention; apoptosis; cytotoxicity

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MDPI and ACS Style

Konstantinou, E.K.; Dimiza, K.; Dimitriou, M.; Darras, A.; Panagiotopoulos, A.A. Anticancer Potential of Cherry Extracts and Major Flavonols: Focus on Quercetin and Kaempferol Molecular Mechanisms in Breast Cancer. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27, 7999. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27187999

AMA Style

Konstantinou EK, Dimiza K, Dimitriou M, Darras A, Panagiotopoulos AA. Anticancer Potential of Cherry Extracts and Major Flavonols: Focus on Quercetin and Kaempferol Molecular Mechanisms in Breast Cancer. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2026; 27(18):7999. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27187999

Chicago/Turabian Style

Konstantinou, Evangelia K., Kallirroi Dimiza, Maria Dimitriou, Anastasios Darras, and Athanasios A. Panagiotopoulos. 2026. "Anticancer Potential of Cherry Extracts and Major Flavonols: Focus on Quercetin and Kaempferol Molecular Mechanisms in Breast Cancer" International Journal of Molecular Sciences 27, no. 18: 7999. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27187999

APA Style

Konstantinou, E. K., Dimiza, K., Dimitriou, M., Darras, A., & Panagiotopoulos, A. A. (2026). Anticancer Potential of Cherry Extracts and Major Flavonols: Focus on Quercetin and Kaempferol Molecular Mechanisms in Breast Cancer. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 27(18), 7999. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27187999

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