Medicinal plants have been extensively explored for their chemopreventive and antiproliferative properties. Among these, Muntingia calabura has emerged as a promising candidate due to its ability to modulate various signaling pathways involved in cancer progression and suppression. This includes interactions with multiple cell signaling molecules that regulate cancer formation and development. This review aims to critically evaluate the anticancer properties of M. calabura across different cancer types. A systematic literature search was performed across major scientific databases, including ScienceDirect, PubMed, and Scopus. Studies were selected based on predefined inclusion criteria using the keywords "Muntingia calabura", “M. calabura”, “anticancer” and "cancer." A total of 13 studies met the eligibility criteria and were analyzed for this review. Evidence from the reviewed studies highlights the anticancer effects of M. calabura extracts, which include inhibition of inflammatory and apoptotic pathways. The modulation of dysregulated signaling cascades, such as the LOX, XO, and RAF1 pathways, was shown to contribute significantly to its anticancer activity. The findings support the potential application of M. calabura and its phytochemical constituents in cancer prevention and therapy. However, further in-depth studies are necessary to identify its bioactive compounds and elucidate the mechanisms underlying its anticancer effects for clinical translation.
Keywords: Muntingia calabura, Anticancer, Phytochemicals, Flavonoids
