Conjugated Linolenic Acids: Implication in Cancer

Conjugated fatty acids (CFAs) including both conjugated linoleic acids (CLAs) and conjugated linolenic acids (CLNAs) have various health promoting effects. These beneficial effects are comprised by their antioxidant, antiatherogenecity, anticarcinogenic activities, etc. Several reports indicate that CLNAs such as eleostearic acid, punicic acid, jacaric acid, and calendic acid possess anticancer properties. These CLNAs are produced and accumulated in seeds of certain commonly available plants. This review discusses their role in chemoprevention of cancer. Using in vitro as well as in vivo models of cancer, bioactivities of these CLNAs have been explored in detail. CLNAs have been shown to have potent anticancer activity as compared to the CLAs. Although the molecular basis of these effects has been summarized here, more detailed studies are needed to explore the underlying mechanisms. Further clinical trials are obligatory for assessing the safety and efficacy of CLNAs as an anticancer agent.