Anticancer Activity of Corosolic Acid With Botanical Sources, Biopharmaceutical Profile, Mechanistic Insight, Toxicity, and Clinical Evidence

INTRODUCTION: Corosolic acid (CRS) is a naturally occurring pentacyclic triterpenoid primarily isolated from Lagerstroemia speciosa and other medicinal plants and has attracted growing interest because of its promising anticancer properties. OBJECTIVES: This review provides a comprehensive synthesis of the botanical sources, biopharmaceutical characteristics, molecular mechanisms of action, toxicological profile, and clinical evidence associated with CRS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was conducted across major scientific databases, including PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, SpringerLink, and Wiley Online, covering studies published up to April 2025. Peer-reviewed articles investigating the anticancer activity, pharmacology, toxicity, pharmacokinetics, and clinical relevance of CRS were included. RESULTS: Preclinical evidence demonstrates that CRS exerts broad-spectrum anticancer activity by inducing apoptosis, autophagy, ferroptosis, and cytotoxicity, while inhibiting tumor cell proliferation, metastasis, and survival signaling pathways, including PI3K/Akt/mTOR, NF-κB, STAT3, and YAP/TAZ. Emerging data also highlight its immunomodulatory role, particularly through suppression of Th17-mediated inflammatory responses, which may further contribute to its antitumor effects. Toxicological evaluations indicate that CRS possesses a favorable safety profile at therapeutic doses; however, its clinical translation is hindered by poor aqueous solubility and limited oral bioavailability. Recent advances in formulation strategies and structural modification approaches show potential for overcoming these limitations. CONCLUSION: Overall, this review integrates current knowledge, identifies critical research gaps, and emphasizes the need for well-designed clinical trials to establish CRS as a viable multitarget anticancer agent.