{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,17]],"date-time":"2026-07-17T14:20:05Z","timestamp":1784298005447,"version":"3.55.0"},"reference-count":62,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"21","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2025,11,5]],"date-time":"2025-11-05T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1762300800000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Molecules"],"abstract":"<jats:p>This scoping review synthesized evidence from 2015 to 2025 on the anti-inflammatory and anticancer potential of pecan (Carya illinoinensis) kernel extracts, focusing on bioactive composition and cell signaling pathway modulation. Pecan kernels contain diverse phenolic compounds including gallic acid, catechin, epicatechin, and ellagic acid, along with tocopherols and unsaturated fatty acids, exhibiting significant cultivar-dependent variation influenced by ripening stage, processing conditions, and orchard management practices. In vitro studies demonstrate that kernel extracts possess substantial antioxidant capacity and exert antiproliferative and cytotoxic effects against various human cancer cell lines, including colon cancer cells, with evidence of apoptosis induction. Extraction methodologies significantly influence bioactive compound recovery and biological activity, with both lipid and phenolic fractions contributing to therapeutic potential. While current evidence highlights promising anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties mediated through modulation of apoptotic pathways, research remains predominantly limited to compositional analyses and in vitro models. Future investigations should elucidate specific molecular mechanisms, identify precise signaling pathway targets, conduct in vivo validation studies, and optimize processing conditions to maximize bioactive retention for potential therapeutic applications in cancer prevention and treatment.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/molecules30214310","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,11,5]],"date-time":"2025-11-05T16:09:47Z","timestamp":1762358987000},"page":"4310","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":3,"title":["In Vitro Anti-Inflammatory and Anticancer Potential of Pecan Nut (Carya illinoinensis) Kernel Extracts: Modulation of Cell Signaling Pathways\u2014A Scoping Review"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"30","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0000-1996-0405","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Ifeoma Roseline","family":"Ezeanolue","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Pharmacy and Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, Italy"},{"name":"Centre for Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Food Sciences, Federal University of Pelotas, University Campus S\/N, Pelotas 96010-610, RS, Brazil"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Chiugo Francisca","family":"Ezeanolue","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nigeria Nsukka, Nsukka, Enugu, Nigeria"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-8534-4130","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Pierluigi","family":"Plastina","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Pharmacy and Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Francieli Moro","family":"Stefanello","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Centre for Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Food Sciences, Federal University of Pelotas, University Campus S\/N, Pelotas 96010-610, RS, Brazil"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Rejane","family":"Giacomelli Tavares","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Centre for Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Food Sciences, Federal University of Pelotas, University Campus S\/N, Pelotas 96010-610, RS, Brazil"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Roselia Maria","family":"Spanevello","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Centre for Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Food Sciences, Federal University of Pelotas, University Campus S\/N, Pelotas 96010-610, RS, Brazil"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,11,5]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","first-page":"1425","article-title":"Phenolic profiling during pecan kernel ripening reveals cultivar-specific antioxidant dynamics","volume":"66","author":"Jia","year":"2018","journal-title":"J. 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