Statins, primarily prescribed for their lipid-lowering effects, have garnered significant attention for their potent anti-inflammatory effects. This review explores the underlying molecular pathways and clinical relevance of statins’ anti-inflammatory actions, extending beyond cardiovascular disease management to chronic inflammatory conditions and oncological applications. The lipid-lowering effect of statins stems from their ability to suppress HMG-CoA reductase, a crucial enzyme in cholesterol synthesis; however, their pleiotropic effects include modulation of critical inflammatory pathways such as the inhibition of NF-κB signalling, a reduction in pro-inflammatory cytokine production, and enhancement of endothelial function. We delve into the molecular pathways influenced by statins, including their effects on inflammatory mediators like C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukins (IL-6, IL-1β), and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). Clinical evidence supporting the efficacy of statins in managing chronic inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes, and osteoarthritis, is critically reviewed. Additionally, we investigate the emerging role of statins in oncology, examining their impact on inflammation-driven carcinogenesis, tumour microenvironment modulation, and cancer progression. Despite their broad therapeutic potential, the safety profile of statins, particularly concerning adverse effects such as myopathy, hepatotoxicity, and potential diabetes risk, is discussed. Controversies surrounding the extent of their anti-inflammatory benefits and the variability in patient responses are also addressed. This review consolidates the current literature, elucidating the biochemical mechanisms underlying the anti-inflammatory properties of statins and evaluating their clinical applications and associated controversies. Future research directions are identified, including the development of novel statin analogues with enhanced anti-inflammatory effects and the investigation of new therapeutic indications in inflammatory diseases and cancer. By providing an in-depth analysis, this review underscores the expanding therapeutic scope of statins and advocates for their integration into broader clinical strategies for the management of inflammation and cancer.

Background/Objectives: Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a major global health burden, marked by complex tumor–microenvironment interactions, genetic heterogeneity, and varied treatment responses. Effective preclinical models are essential for dissecting CRC biology and guiding personalized therapeutic strategies. This review aims to critically evaluate current experimental CRC models, assessing their translational relevance, limitations, and potential for integration into precision oncology. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, focusing on studies employing defined in vitro, in vivo, and emerging integrative CRC models. Studies were included based on experimental rigor and relevance to therapeutic or mechanistic investigation. Models were compared based on molecular fidelity, tumorigenic capacity, immune interactions, and predictive utility. Results: CRC models were classified into in vitro (2D cell lines, spheroids, patient-derived organoids), in vivo (murine, zebrafish, porcine, canine), and integrative platforms (tumor-on-chip systems, humanized mice, AI-augmented simulations). Traditional models offer accessibility and mechanistic insight, while advanced systems better mimic human tumor complexity, immune landscapes, and treatment response. Tumor-on-chip and AI-driven models show promise in simulating dynamic tumor behavior and predicting clinical outcomes. Cross-platform integration enhances translational validity and enables iterative model refinement. Conclusions: Strategic deployment of complementary CRC models is critical for advancing translational research. This review provides a roadmap for aligning model capabilities with specific research goals, advocating for integrated, patient-relevant systems to improve therapeutic development. Enhancing model fidelity and interoperability is key to accelerating the bench-to-bedside translation in colorectal cancer care.

Non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants (NOACs) have revolutionized anticoagulant therapy, offering improved safety and efficacy over traditional agents like warfarin. This review comprehensively examines the dual roles of NOACs—apixaban, rivaroxaban, edoxaban, and dabigatran—not only as anticoagulants, but also as modulators of inflammation via protease-activated receptor (PAR) signaling. We highlight the unique pharmacotherapeutic properties of each NOAC, supported by key clinical trials demonstrating their effectiveness in preventing thromboembolic events. Beyond their established anticoagulant roles, emerging research suggests that NOACs influence inflammation through PAR signaling pathways, implicating factors such as factor Xa (FXa) and thrombin in the modulation of inflammatory responses. This review synthesizes current evidence on the anti-inflammatory potential of NOACs, exploring their impact on inflammatory markers and conditions like atherosclerosis and diabetes. By delineating the mechanisms by which NOACs mediate anti-inflammatory effects, this work aims to expand their therapeutic utility, offering new perspectives for managing inflammatory diseases. Our findings underscore the broader clinical implications of NOACs, advocating for their consideration in therapeutic strategies aimed at addressing inflammation-related pathologies. This comprehensive synthesis not only enhances understanding of NOACs’ multifaceted roles, but also paves the way for future research and clinical applications in inflammation and cardiovascular health.

Turmeric is a plant with a very long history of medicinal use across different cultures. Curcumin is the active part of turmeric, which has exhibited various beneficial physiological and pharmacological effects. This review aims to critically appraise the corpus of literature associated with the above pharmacological properties of curcumin, with a specific focus on antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer and antimicrobial properties. We have also reviewed the different extraction strategies currently in practice, highlighting the strengths and drawbacks of each technique. Further, our review also summarizes the clinical trials that have been conducted with curcumin, which will allow the reader to get a quick insight into the disease/patient population of interest with the outcome that was investigated. Lastly, we have also highlighted the research areas that need to be further scrutinized to better grasp curcumin’s beneficial physiological and medicinal properties, which can then be translated to facilitate the design of better bioactive therapeutic leads.

Oleocanthal (OC), a secoiridoid phenolic compound exclusive to extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), has emerged as a promising nutraceutical with multifaceted anti-cancer properties. Despite its well-characterized anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, the mechanistic breadth and translational potential of OC in oncology remain underexplored and fragmented across the literature. This comprehensive review synthesizes and critically analyzes recent advances in the molecular, pharmacological, and translational landscape of OC’s anti-cancer activities, providing an integrative framework to bridge preclinical evidence with future clinical application. We delineate the pleiotropic mechanisms by which OC modulates cancer hallmarks, including lysosomal membrane permeabilization (LMP)-mediated apoptosis, the inhibition of key oncogenic signaling pathways (c-MET/STAT3, PAR-2/TNF-α, COX-2/mPGES-1), the suppression of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), angiogenesis, and metabolic reprogramming. Furthermore, this review uniquely highlights the emerging role of OC in modulating drug resistance mechanisms by downregulating efflux transporters and sensitizing tumors to chemotherapy, targeted therapies, and immunotherapies. We also examine OC’s bidirectional interaction with gut microbiota, underscoring its systemic immunometabolic effects. A major unmet need addressed by this review is the lack of consolidated knowledge regarding OC’s pharmacokinetic limitations and drug–drug interaction potential in the context of polypharmacy in oncology. We provide an in-depth analysis of OC’s poor bioavailability, extensive first-pass metabolism, and pharmacogenomic interactions, and systematically compile preclinical evidence on advanced delivery platforms—including nanocarriers, microneedle systems, and peptide–drug conjugates—designed to overcome these barriers. By critically evaluating the mechanistic, pharmacological, and translational dimensions of OC, this review advances the field beyond isolated mechanistic studies and offers a strategic blueprint for its integration into precision oncology. It also identifies key research gaps and outlines the future directions necessary to transition OC from a nutraceutical of dietary interest to a viable adjunctive therapeutic agent in cancer treatment.

The global burden of heart failure (HF) continues to escalate, with a lifetime risk approaching one in four adults in the United States. Concurrently, advances in cancer therapeutics have created a burgeoning population of long-term survivors, who now face the significant morbidity and mortality of chemotherapy-induced cardiovascular disease (CVD). This review addresses the critical overlap of these two pathologies, which share fundamental drivers such as oxidative stress, inflammation, and metabolic dysregulation. Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), the most abundant and biologically active polyphenol in green tea, has demonstrated pleiotropic bioactivity in preclinical models, encompassing potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic properties. The central aim of this review is to provide a critical and comprehensive synthesis of the evidence supporting EGCG’s dual protective role. This review dissects its molecular mechanisms in modulating key pathways in HF and cardio-oncology, evaluates its translational potential, and importantly, delineates the significant gaps that must be addressed for its clinical application. This analysis uniquely positions EGCG not merely as a nutraceutical, but as a multi-target molecular therapeutic capable of simultaneously addressing the convergent pathological cascades of heart failure and cancer-related cardiotoxicity. The synthesis of preclinical evidence with a critical analysis of its translational barriers offers a novel perspective and a strategic roadmap for future research.