Artepillin C as a Potential Anticancer Phytochemical: Chemistry, Bioavailability and Preclinical Insights

Numerous plants are significant sources of bioactive chemicals with diverse therapeutic efficacy against numerous cancer types. Since ancient times, numerous plant types and their phytochemicals have been used for traditional and contemporary medicinal applications. Artepillin C (AC) is a biologically active phenolic component and prenylated derivative of p-coumaric acid of Brazilian green propolis (BGP), which is derived from Baccharis dracunculifolia (native to central and southeastern regions of Brazil). AC, the primary chemical marker of green propolis, is a key factor in its therapeutic efficacy. Several studies have substantiated its pharmacological activities, including neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, antitumor, gastroprotective, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and immunomodulatory effects. This review not only explains its anticancer potential but also explains its chemical properties, bioavailability, and production. Thus, we selected this compound for a thorough overview of its anticancer effects. A limited number of studies on this compound from the last 15 years have been synthesized from Science Direct, Medline, PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar search engines. Therefore, this review consolidates widespread research from 2010 to 2025 related to the pharmacological and anticancer efficacy of AC, which may potentiate its candidature as a potent anticancer drug for future research and therapeutic applications.