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Volume 19
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Review

Ligustilide: A Phytochemical with Potential in Combating Cancer Development and Progression—A Comprehensive and Critical Review

by
Victória Dogani Rodrigues
1,
Mayara Longui Cabrini
2,
Eliana de Souza Bastos Mazuqueli Pereira
3,
Manuela dos Santos Bueno
3,
Virgínia Maria Cavallari Strozze Catharin
3,
Jesselina Francisco dos Santos Haber
4,
Rachel Gomes Eleutério
5,
Lidiane Indiani
4,
Vitor Cavallari Strozze Catharin
4,
Raquel Cristina Ferraroni Sanches
3,
Flávia Cristina Castilho Carácio
1,4,
Tereza Lais Menegucci Zutin
3,
Vitor Engrácia Valenti
6,7,
Sandra Maria Barbalho
4,7 and
Lucas Fornari Laurindo
8,*
1
Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Faculdade de Medicina de Marília (FAMEMA), Marília 17519-030, São Paulo, Brazil
2
Department of Physiotherapy, School of Physiotherapy, Universidade de Marília (UNIMAR), Marília 17525-902, São Paulo, Brazil
3
Graduate Program in Structural and Functional Interactions in Rehabilitation, School of Medicine, Universidade de Marília (UNIMAR), Marília 17525-902, São Paulo, Brazil
4
Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Universidade de Marília (UNIMAR), Marília 17525-902, São Paulo, Brazil
5
Department of Odontology, School of Dentistry, Universidade de Marília (UNIMAR), Marília 17525-902, São Paulo, Brazil
6
Faculty of Philosophy and Sciences, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Marília 17525-900, São Paulo, Brazil
7
Laboratory for Systematic Investigations of Diseases, Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Universidade de Marília (UNIMAR), Marília 17525-902, São Paulo, Brazil
8
Division of Cellular Growth, Hemodynamic, and Homeostasis Disorders, Graduate Program in Medical Sciences, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo 01246-903, São Paulo, Brazil
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Pharmaceuticals 2026, 19(1), 36; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph19010036
Submission received: 24 October 2025 / Revised: 25 November 2025 / Accepted: 26 November 2025 / Published: 23 December 2025
(This article belongs to the Section Natural Products)
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Abstract

Cancer remains one of the leading global health challenges, with increasing resistance to conventional therapies hindering treatment efficacy. Ligustilide, a bioactive compound derived from Ligusticum chuanxiong, has garnered attention for its multifaceted pharmacological properties, including anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and anticancer effects. This review comprehensively examines Ligustilide and its isomer, (Z)-Ligustilide, focusing on their anticancer potential across various cancer types. Ligustilide exerts its therapeutic effects through multiple mechanisms, including inhibition of cell proliferation, induction of apoptosis, and modulation of autophagy. Additionally, (Z)-Ligustilide has been shown to enhance drug sensitivity and modulate epigenetic regulation, providing a novel approach to overcoming chemoresistance. Despite promising preclinical results, the precise molecular mechanisms, pharmacokinetics, and bioavailability of Ligustilide remain under investigation. Future research should focus on optimizing its therapeutic applications, exploring its synergy with other chemotherapeutic agents, and assessing its potential in personalized cancer therapies. This review offers an in-depth analysis of Ligustilide’s anticancer mechanisms, its role in overcoming drug resistance, and its potential as a novel therapeutic strategy in cancer treatment.
Keywords: Ligustilide; (Z)-Ligustilide; cancer; metastasis; cancer development; cancer progression; malignancies Ligustilide; (Z)-Ligustilide; cancer; metastasis; cancer development; cancer progression; malignancies
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MDPI and ACS Style

Dogani Rodrigues, V.; Longui Cabrini, M.; de Souza Bastos Mazuqueli Pereira, E.; dos Santos Bueno, M.; Catharin, V.M.C.S.; dos Santos Haber, J.F.; Gomes Eleutério, R.; Indiani, L.; Cavallari Strozze Catharin, V.; Cristina Ferraroni Sanches, R.; et al. Ligustilide: A Phytochemical with Potential in Combating Cancer Development and Progression—A Comprehensive and Critical Review. Pharmaceuticals 2026, 19, 36. https://doi.org/10.3390/ph19010036

AMA Style

Dogani Rodrigues V, Longui Cabrini M, de Souza Bastos Mazuqueli Pereira E, dos Santos Bueno M, Catharin VMCS, dos Santos Haber JF, Gomes Eleutério R, Indiani L, Cavallari Strozze Catharin V, Cristina Ferraroni Sanches R, et al. Ligustilide: A Phytochemical with Potential in Combating Cancer Development and Progression—A Comprehensive and Critical Review. Pharmaceuticals. 2026; 19(1):36. https://doi.org/10.3390/ph19010036

Chicago/Turabian Style

Dogani Rodrigues, Victória, Mayara Longui Cabrini, Eliana de Souza Bastos Mazuqueli Pereira, Manuela dos Santos Bueno, Virgínia Maria Cavallari Strozze Catharin, Jesselina Francisco dos Santos Haber, Rachel Gomes Eleutério, Lidiane Indiani, Vitor Cavallari Strozze Catharin, Raquel Cristina Ferraroni Sanches, and et al. 2026. "Ligustilide: A Phytochemical with Potential in Combating Cancer Development and Progression—A Comprehensive and Critical Review" Pharmaceuticals 19, no. 1: 36. https://doi.org/10.3390/ph19010036

APA Style

Dogani Rodrigues, V., Longui Cabrini, M., de Souza Bastos Mazuqueli Pereira, E., dos Santos Bueno, M., Catharin, V. M. C. S., dos Santos Haber, J. F., Gomes Eleutério, R., Indiani, L., Cavallari Strozze Catharin, V., Cristina Ferraroni Sanches, R., Cristina Castilho Carácio, F., Lais Menegucci Zutin, T., Engrácia Valenti, V., Barbalho, S. M., & Laurindo, L. F. (2026). Ligustilide: A Phytochemical with Potential in Combating Cancer Development and Progression—A Comprehensive and Critical Review. Pharmaceuticals, 19(1), 36. https://doi.org/10.3390/ph19010036

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