In recent decades,
cancer has been one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Despite advances in understanding the molecular basis of
tumorigenesis, diagnosis, and clinical
therapies, the discovery and development of effective drugs is an active and vital field in
cancer research.
Tetrahydrocurcumin is a major
curcuminoid metabolite of
curcumin, naturally occurring in turmeric. The interest in
tetrahydrocurcumin research is increasing because it is superior to
curcumin in its solubility in water, chemical stability, bioavailability, and anti-oxidative activity. Many in vitro and in vivo studies have revealed that
tetrahydrocurcumin exerts anti-
cancer effects through various mechanisms, including modulation of oxidative stress,
xenobiotic detoxification,
inflammation, proliferation,
metastasis, programmed cell death, and immunity. Despite the pharmacological similarities between
tetrahydrocurcumin and
curcumin, the structure of
tetrahydrocurcumin determines its distinct and specific molecular mechanism, thus making it a potential candidate for the prevention and treatment of
cancers. However, the utility of
tetrahydrocurcumin is yet to be evaluated as only limited pharmacokinetic and oral bioavailability studies have been performed. This review summarizes research on the anti-
cancer properties of
tetrahydrocurcumin and describes its mechanisms of action.