The current review presents the antitumoral properties of gallic acid and its ester derivatives. Numerous studies have indicated that the alkyl esters are more effective against tumor cell lines than gallic acid, and that this activity is related to their hydrophobic moiety. All related studies have shown that the antitumor activity is interconnected to the induction of apoptosis by different mechanisms and it depends on the cell type. The results presented in this review may help to emphasize that these compounds could be promising as a new alternative for the treatment of cancer, either alone or in combination with other antitumor drugs to potentiate their effects.
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