scholarly journals Role of Natural Stilbenes in the Prevention of Cancer

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Antoni Sirerol ◽  
María L. Rodríguez ◽  
Salvador Mena ◽  
Miguel A. Asensi ◽  
José M. Estrela ◽  
...  

Natural stilbenes are an important group of nonflavonoid phytochemicals of polyphenolic structure characterized by the presence of a 1,2-diphenylethylene nucleus. Stilbenes have an extraordinary potential for the prevention and treatment of different diseases, including cancer, due to their antioxidant, cell death activation, and anti-inflammatory properties which associate with low toxicity underin vivoconditions. This review aims to discuss various approaches related to their mechanisms of action, pharmacological activities in animal models and humans, and potential chemoprevention in clinical studies. The biological activity of natural stilbenes is still incompletely understood. Furthermore, after administration to animals or humans, these molecules are rapidly metabolized. Thus pharmacokinetics and/or activities of the natural structures and their metabolites may be very different. Novel drug formulations have been postulated in order to improve stability and bioavailability, to minimize side effects, and to facilitate interaction with their domains in target proteins. These pharmacological improvements should lead stilbenes to become effective candidates as anticancer drugs.

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wissam Zam ◽  
Sally Shahoud ◽  
Mansour Hayek ◽  
Alaa Saad

Background:: As by WHO report, cancer is the second leading cause of death globally, and approximately 70% of deaths from cancer occur in low- and middle-income countries. From this point more attention has been given to the role of nutrition in the prevention of cancer development. Methods:: We undertook a structured search of bibliographic databases for peer-reviewed research literature dealing with the role of kefir in cancer prevention and treatment. Results:: Probiotics are one of the most important food fortifications which are proved to have anti-carcinogenic properties. Probiotics can directly bind to carcinogens and alter the production of enzymes by modifying intestinal environment. Kefir, originating from the Balkan–Caucasian region, is a synbiotic composed of a wide number microflora and exopolysaccharides with approved in vitro and in vivo biological activities. Kefir plays a great potential role in cancer prevention and treatment interfering with apoptosis, proliferation and transformation. Conclusion:: This review highlights the important role of probiotics, exopolysaccharides and common kefir in preventing different types of cancer including colon cancer, sarcoma, breast cancer, lung cancer, leukemia, gastric cancer and melanoma.


2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (14) ◽  
pp. 1156-1162
Author(s):  
Maria Yousuf ◽  
Waqas Jamil ◽  
Khayala Mammadova

The methods of chemical structural alteration of small organic molecules by using microbes (fungi, bacteria, yeast, etc.) are gaining tremendous attention to obtain structurally novel and therapeutically potential leads. The regiospecific mild environmental friendly reaction conditions with the ability of novel chemical structural modification in compounds categorize this technique; a distinguished and unique way to obtain medicinally important drugs and their in vivo mimic metabolites with costeffective and timely manner. This review article shortly addresses the immense pharmaceutical importance of microbial transformation methods in drug designing and development as well as the role of CYP450 enzymes in fungi to obtain in vivo drug metabolites for toxicological studies.


2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (7) ◽  
pp. 985-992 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aysegul Hanikoglu ◽  
Ertan Kucuksayan ◽  
Rana Cagla Akduman ◽  
Tomris Ozben

This systematic review aims to elucidate the role of melatonin (N-acetyl-5-metoxy-tryptamine) (MLT) in the prevention and treatment of cancer. MLT is a pineal gland secretory product, an evolutionarily highly conserved molecule; it is also an antioxidant and an impressive protector of mitochondrial bioenergetic activity. MLT is characterized by an ample range of activities, modulating the physiology and molecular biology of the cell. Its physiological functions relate principally to the interaction of G Protein-Coupled MT1 and MT2 trans-membrane receptors (GPCRs), a family of guanidine triphosphate binding proteins. MLT has been demonstrated to suppress the growth of various tumours both, in vivo and in vitro. In this review, we analyze in depth, the antioxidant activity of melatonin, aiming to illustrate the cancer treatment potential of the molecule, by limiting or reversing the changes occurring during cancer development and growth.


2019 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiao-Fei Liu ◽  
Jing-Wei Li ◽  
Hong-Zhi Chen ◽  
Zi-Yuan Sun ◽  
Guang-Xi Shi ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Yanghe Huayan Decoction (YHD), a traditional Chinese medicine, is one of the most common complementary medicine currently used in the treatment of breast cancer (BC). It has been recently linked to suppress precancerous lesion and tumor development. The current study sought to explore the role of YHD on trans-endothelium and angiogenesis of BC. Methods: HER2+ BC cells were treated with YHD, Trastuzumab, or the combination in vitro and in vivo to compare the effects of them on trans-endothelium and angiogenesis features. The present study also investigated the potential molecular mechanism of YHD in inhibiting angiogenesis of BC. Results: YHD significantly suppressed the invasion and angiogenesis of BC cells via elevated pAkt signaling. Administration of YHD in vivo also strikingly repressed angiogenesis in tumor grafts. Conclusion: YHD could partially inhibit and reverse tumorigenesis of BC. It also could inhibit Akt activation and angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo. Its effect was superior to trastuzumab. Thus it was suitable for prevention and treatment of BC.


2021 ◽  
pp. 671-685
Author(s):  
P SUN ◽  
R LI ◽  
Y MENG ◽  
S XI ◽  
Q WANG ◽  
...  

Cancer is a complex, multifactorial disease that modern medicine ultimately aims to overcome. Downstream of tyrosine kinase 2 (DOK2) is a well-known tumor suppressor gene, and a member of the downstream protein DOK family of tyrosine kinases. Through a search of original literature indexed in PubMed and other databases, the present review aims to extricate the mechanisms by which DOK2 acts on cancer, thereby identifying more reliable and effective therapeutic targets to promote enhanced methods of cancer prevention and treatment. The review focuses on the role of DOK2 in multiple tumor types in the lungs, intestines, liver, and breast. Additionally, we discuss the potential mechanisms of action of DOK2 and the downstream consequences via the Ras/MPAK/ERK or PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathways.


Molecules ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (7) ◽  
pp. 1238 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vera Petricevich ◽  
Rodolfo Abarca-Vargas

In this work, we explore the current knowledge about the phytochemistry and in vitro and in vivo evaluations of the extracts and, where appropriate, the main active components characterized and isolated from the Allamanda cathartica. Of the 15 Allamanda species, most phytochemical, pharmacological, and toxicological studies have focused on A. cathartica. These plants are used for the treatment of various health disorders. Numerous phytochemical investigations of plants from the A. cathartica have shown the presence of hydrocarbons, alcohols, esters, ethers, aldehydes, ketones, fatty acids, phospholipids, volatile compounds, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, alkaloids, steroids, terpenes, lactones, and carbohydrates. Various studies have confirmed that extracts and active substances isolated from the A. cathartica have multiple pharmacological activities. The species A. cathartica has emerged as a source of traditional medicine used for human health. Further studies on the phytochemical, pharmacological, and toxicological properties and their mechanisms of action, safety, and efficacy in the species of A. cathartica is recommended.


Molecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (19) ◽  
pp. 4568 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mayara Castro de Morais ◽  
Jucieudo Virgulino de Souza ◽  
Carlos da Silva Maia Bezerra Filho ◽  
Silvio Santana Dolabella ◽  
Damião Pergentino de Sousa

Trypanosomiases are diseases caused by parasitic protozoan trypanosomes of the genus Trypanosoma. In humans, this includes Chagas disease and African trypanosomiasis. There are few therapeutic options, and there is low efficacy to clinical treatment. Therefore, the search for new drugs for the trypanosomiasis is urgent. This review describes studies of the trypanocidal properties of essential oils, an important group of natural products widely found in several tropical countries. Seventy-seven plants were selected from literature for the trypanocidal activity of their essential oils. The main chemical constituents and mechanisms of action are also discussed. In vitro and in vivo experimental data show the therapeutic potential of these natural products for the treatment of infections caused by species of Trypanosoma.


Author(s):  
Kiran Dahiya ◽  
Rakesh Dhankhar

Nutraceuticals are increasingly becoming popular for prevention and treatment of cancer. Association of adverse effects with standard treatment modalities of cancer has led to consideration of safer approaches. Nutraceuticals may help in prevention of cancer as well as in treatment and avoidance of side effects associated with chemo-radiation. The active components of nutraceuticals are known as phytochemicals. Many mechanisms have been put forward for the actions of these phytochemicals but an exact mechanism for a well defined role of a particular phytochemical in a specific type of cancer is yet to be elucidated. Thus, nutraceutical industry has emerged as a research oriented sector. It is important for the healthcare professionals to understand the categories, research developments, mechanism of action and areas of concern in the field of nutraceuticals.


Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 2453 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marta Molska ◽  
Julita Reguła

Colorectal cancer is one of the most common and most diagnosed cancers in the world. There are many predisposing factors, for example, genetic predisposition, smoking, or a diet rich in red, processed meat and poor in vegetables and fruits. Probiotics may be helpful in the prevention of cancer and may provide support during treatment. The main aim of this study is to characterize the potential mechanisms of action of probiotics, in particular the prevention and treatment of colorectal cancer. Probiotics’ potential mechanisms of action are, for example, modification of intestinal microbiota, improvement of colonic physicochemical conditions, production of anticancerogenic and antioxidant metabolites against carcinogenesis, a decrease in intestinal inflammation, and the production of harmful enzymes. The prevention of colorectal cancer is associated with favorable quantitative and qualitative changes in the intestinal microbiota, as well as changes in metabolic activity and in the physicochemical conditions of the intestine. In addition, it is worth noting that the effect depends on the bacterial strain, as well as on the dose administered.


2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jéssica A. Jesus ◽  
João Henrique G. Lago ◽  
Márcia D. Laurenti ◽  
Eduardo S. Yamamoto ◽  
Luiz Felipe D. Passero

Triterpenoids are the most representative group of phytochemicals, as they comprise more than 20,000 recognized molecules. These compounds are biosynthesized in plants via squalene cyclization, a C30hydrocarbon that is considered to be the precursor of all steroids. Due to their low hydrophilicity, triterpenes were considered to be inactive for a long period of time; however, evidence regarding their wide range of pharmacological activities is emerging, and elegant studies have highlighted these activities. Several triterpenic skeletons have been described, including some that have presented with pentacyclic features, such as oleanolic and ursolic acids. These compounds have displayed incontestable biological activity, such as antibacterial, antiviral, and antiprotozoal effects, which were not included in a single review until now. Thus, the present review investigates the potential use of these triterpenes against human pathogens, including their mechanisms of action, viain vivostudies, and the future perspectives about the use of compounds for human or even animal health are also discussed.


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