Hesperidin: A promising anticancer agent from nature

•Cancer is one of the most common causes of death across the world.•Extensive researches show therapeutic role of dietary phytochemicals.•Hesperidin has a potent anticancer effect against different types of cancers.•Presence of hydroxyl moieties is essential for biological activity of hesperidin.

Cancer is major health problem in the worldwide which refers to a group of diseases caused by abnormal cell growth with invasive potentials. There are different environmental and genetic factors which cause cancers in human body such as smoking, diet, radiation, etc. In addition, oxidative stress plays a crucial role in the pathophysiology of different types of cancer. Therefore, much attention has been paid to antioxidants as novel therapeutic strategy for cancer. Flavonoids are important natural antioxidants in the nature which have potent anticancer effects under both in vitro and in vivo conditions. Hesperidin, an important bioflavonoid, is widely found in Citrus species and acts as potent antioxidant and anticancer agent. In present review, we summarize the scientific literature about anticancer effects of hesperidin with emphasis on its molecular mechanisms. We also discuss about chemistry, food sources, bioavailability, and clinical impacts of hesperidin.