Unveiling the Power of Flavonoids: A Dynamic Exploration of Their Impact on Cancer through Matrix Metalloproteinases Regulation

Cancer is a prominent contributor to mortality rates globally, with its progression and spread being the primary factors underlying this assertion. Despite advancements in cancer therapy, the existing therapeutic strategies are rendered useless as a result of their toxicity and the development of chemoresistance. Hence, it is imperative to assess alternate therapy modalities, and natural compounds present a promising prospect due to their demonstrated anticancer capabilities in several research models. This article provides an overview of the regulatory mechanisms involved in the expression of metalloproteinases (MMPs) and explores the potential therapeutic function of flavonoids as agents with anticancer activity that specifically target MMPs. Multiple mechanisms indicate that flavonoids are chemopreventive and cytotoxic against a wide range of cancer types, according to data gathered from cell lines and in vivo models. Involved in cancer cell invasion, migration, and metastasis, flavonoids also modulate critical signaling pathways including signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), NFkB, and PI3/AKT. All of these findings reestablish flavonoids as outstanding candidates for cancer treatment.