Small Molecule Wnt Pathway Modulators from Natural Sources: History, State of the Art and Perspectives

The document reviewed the role of the Wnt signaling pathway in regulating embryonic development, tissue renewal, and regeneration, and its dysregulation in diseases like cancer, osteoporosis, and rheumatoid arthritis. It highlighted the therapeutic potential of small molecule modulators derived from natural products. The review was divided into two parts: the first focused on Wnt pathway activators for regenerative therapies in tissues such as skin, bone, cartilage, and the nervous system; the second part described inhibitors for targeted cancer therapies. The mechanisms of action, models used for investigation, and the potential of different taxa to produce bioactive molecules were discussed in detail.