Recent Developments and Future Prospects of Cottonseeds in Controlling Carcinoma and Role of Secondary Metabolites

Cotton, an essential fiber that propagates nearby the seeds of the cotton plants (Gossypium hirsutum, family Malvaceae), is produced globally and contributes largely to the country’s economy. Cotton and its by-products, such as fiber (for use in textiles), oil (for use as a food ingredient), and nutritious meal (for use as feed), have a variety of applications that can never be ignored. Cottonseed is considered a by-product of the cotton plant. Cottonseed has been grown largely in India, the USA, China, and Pakistan. Based on the gossypol content, cottonseed is classified mainly into two types: glanded and glandless cottonseed. Gossypol is the prime constituent of the cottonseed and is polyphenolic in nature present in seed as well as other parts of the plants. In addition to gossypol, cottonseed also contains oil, protein, carbohydrates, and some macro- and trace elements depending on species and variety of plant and plantation climate but gossypol has gained significant attention due to its potential therapeutic application as an antitumor agent, antifertility agent, antioxidant agent, antiparasitic, antioxidant, and anti-apoptotic activity. These biological activities and potency depend on the physicochemical properties of gossypol such as types of enantiomerism. In this chapter, we discussed about cottonseed, their biological and geographical source, active chemical constituents, and all physiological activity with the mechanism of action, for focusing and exploring the investigation in future aspects.