Xanthotoxin (8-Methoxypsoralen): A Review of Biological Activity and Potential Antitumor Properties

Xanthotoxin (8-methoxypsoralen) belongs to the group of naturally occurring furanocoumarin (furocoumarin) compounds and is a product of plant secondary metabolism. Analysis of the available literature indicates that xanthotoxin exhibits a broad spectrum of pharmacological activities, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and antibacterial effects. Xanthotoxin has been shown to stimulate autophagy via inhibition of the AKT/mTOR pathway, as well as to block cell migration by modulating RIG-1 and NF-κB signaling. Moreover, its effects on JNK/MAPK, PI3K/AKT, Calcium–CaMYK/PYK2, and other signaling cascades have been confirmed. Among its most promising properties is the ability to inhibit ABC transporters, thereby preventing the reduction of chemotherapeutic agent concentrations within tumor cells and enhancing their intracellular accumulation. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate xanthotoxin as a potential anticancer agent. The literature review was based on publications indexed in Google Scholar, Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed and published between 2010 and 2026. Studies describing the biological properties of xanthotoxin, its toxicity, anticancer mechanisms of action, and modulation of ABC transporters were included. This literature review summarizes the pharmacological profile of xanthotoxin, and its biological activities and therapeutic potential, as well as its antitumor effects in various cancer cell lines. The available evidence may provide a foundation for the future development of xanthotoxin as a lead compound for anticancer drug discovery.