Therapeutic potential of gossypol: an overview.
BACKGROUND
Polyphenols are naturally occurring compounds found in fruits, vegetables, cereals, and beverages. Polyphenols occupy a unique place in biological science for their pharmacological properties. Gossypol is a polyphenolic compound that has attracted attention because of its biological effects.


OBJECTIVE
Gossypol is reported to exhibit antifertility, antioxidant, anticancer, antivirus, antiparasitic, and antimicrobial properties and lower plasma cholesterol. These are summarized with attention to the mechanisms of activity.


METHODS
This review summarizes the results of studies obtained in a comprehensive search of ScienceDirect, PubMed, Scirus, and Web of Science.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of these studies provide a comprehensive understanding of the biological action of gossypol and its potential for the prevention of and therapy for resistant tumors and chronic human diseases such as HIV, malaria, and psoriasis.
Laboratory of Biophysics and Molecular Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Tehran , Tehran , Islamic Republic of Iran.
Hoda
H
Keshmiri-Neghab
Bahram
B
Goliaei
D000818:Animals; D001628:Beverages; D002523:Edible Grain / Q000737:chemistry; D005638:Fruit / Q000737:chemistry; D003368:Gossypium / Q000737:chemistry*; D006072:Gossypol / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D014675:Vegetables / Q000737:chemistry
D006072:Gossypol