Vol. 7, Issue 1, Part A (2025)

The genus Amaranthus has attracted growing scientific interest for its nutraceutical significance, particularly owing to its rich spectrum of phytochemicals such as flavonoids, phenolic acids, betalains, and squalene. Mounting evidence suggests that these compounds possess the ability to modulate eicosanoid biosynthesis, a key biochemical pathway implicated in chronic inflammation and cancer progression. Eicosanoids, including prostaglandins and leukotrienes, are regulated by cyclooxygenase (COX) and lipoxygenase (LOX) enzymes, whose dysregulation has been consistently associated with tumor initiation and metastasis. This research synthesizes preclinical studies, computational analyses, and dietary intervention data to elucidate the role of amaranth-derived bioactives in suppressing pro-inflammatory prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and leukotriene B4, while concurrently enhancing protective mediators such as prostaglandin D2. Methodological integration of cellular assays, protein expression analyses, and molecular docking simulations highlights that compounds like rutin, quercetin, and amaranthine establish high-affinity interactions with COX-2 and LOX active sites, resulting in a substantial reduction of inflammatory signaling. Comparative assessments reveal that Amaranthus phytochemicals achieve modulatory effects analogous to synthetic COX-2 inhibitors but with a markedly safer toxicity profile. Collectively, these findings underscore the potential of amaranth-based nutraceuticals as adjunctive strategies in cancer chemoprevention. However, translational gaps remain, necessitating human trials and advanced metabolomic investigations to validate their clinical relevance.