scholarly journals Do Aspirin and Flavonoids Prevent Cancer through a Common Mechanism Involving Hydroxybenzoic Acids?—The Metabolite Hypothesis

Molecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (9) ◽  
pp. 2243 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ranjini Sankaranarayanan ◽  
D. Ramesh Kumar ◽  
Janki Patel ◽  
G. Jayarama Bhat

Despite decades of research to elucidate the cancer preventive mechanisms of aspirin and flavonoids, a consensus has not been reached on their specific modes of action. This inability to accurately pinpoint the mechanism involved is due to the failure to differentiate the primary targets from its associated downstream responses. This review is written in the context of the recent findings on the potential pathways involved in the prevention of colorectal cancers (CRC) by aspirin and flavonoids. Recent reports have demonstrated that the aspirin metabolites 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid (2,3-DHBA), 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid (2,5-DHBA) and the flavonoid metabolites 2,4,6-trihydroxybenzoic acid (2,4,6-THBA), 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid (3,4-DHBA) and 3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoic acid (3,4,5-THBA) were effective in inhibiting cancer cell growth in vitro. Limited in vivo studies also provide evidence that some of these hydroxybenzoic acids (HBAs) inhibit tumor growth in animal models. This raises the possibility that a common pathway involving HBAs may be responsible for the observed cancer preventive actions of aspirin and flavonoids. Since substantial amounts of aspirin and flavonoids are left unabsorbed in the intestinal lumen upon oral consumption, they may be subjected to degradation by the host and bacterial enzymes, generating simpler phenolic acids contributing to the prevention of CRC. Interestingly, these HBAs are also abundantly present in fruits and vegetables. Therefore, we suggest that the HBAs produced through microbial degradation of aspirin and flavonoids or those consumed through the diet may be common mediators of CRC prevention.

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 1269
Author(s):  
Razan J. Masad ◽  
Shoja M. Haneefa ◽  
Yassir A. Mohamed ◽  
Ashraf Al-Sbiei ◽  
Ghada Bashir ◽  
...  

Honey has exerted a high impact in the field of alternative medicine over many centuries. In addition to its wound healing, anti-microbial and antioxidant properties, several lines of evidence have highlighted the efficiency of honey and associated bioactive constituents as anti-tumor agents against a range of cancer types. Mechanistically, honey was shown to inhibit cancer cell growth through its pro-apoptotic, anti-proliferative and anti-metastatic effects. However, the potential of honey to regulate anti-tumor immune responses is relatively unexplored. A small number of in vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated the ability of honey to modulate the immune system by inducing immunostimulatory as well as anti-inflammatory effects. In the present review, we summarize the findings from different studies that aimed to investigate the immunomodulatory properties of honey and its flavonoid components in relation to cancer. While these studies provide promising data, additional research is needed to further elucidate the immunomodulatory properties of honey, and to enable its utilization as an adjuvant therapy in cancer.


Antioxidants ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 916 ◽  
Author(s):  
Salman Ul Islam ◽  
Muhammad Bilal Ahmed ◽  
Haseeb Ahsan ◽  
Mazharul Islam ◽  
Adeeb Shehzad ◽  
...  

Human skin is continuously subjected to environmental stresses, as well as extrinsic and intrinsic noxious agents. Although skin adopts various molecular mechanisms to maintain homeostasis, excessive and repeated stresses can overwhelm these systems, leading to serious cutaneous damage, including both melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers. Phytochemicals present in the diet possess the desirable effects of protecting the skin from damaging free radicals as well as other benefits. Dietary phytochemicals appear to be effective in preventing skin cancer and are inexpensive, widely available, and well tolerated. Multiple in vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated the significant anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-angiogenic characteristics of dietary phytochemicals against skin malignancy. Moreover, dietary phytochemicals affect multiple important cellular processes including cell cycle, angiogenesis, and metastasis to control skin cancer progression. Herein, we discuss the advantages of key dietary phytochemicals in whole fruits and vegetables, their bioavailability, and underlying molecular mechanisms for preventing skin cancer. Current challenges and future prospects for research are also reviewed. To date, most of the chemoprevention investigations have been conducted preclinically, and additional clinical trials are required to conform and validate the preclinical results in humans.


Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 1624 ◽  
Author(s):  
Danja J. Den Hartogh ◽  
Evangelia Tsiani

Different diseases and disorders that affect the kidneys include, but are not limited to, glomerulonephritis, diabetic nephropathy, polycystic kidney disease, kidney stones, renal fibrosis, sepsis, and renal cell carcinoma. Kidney disease tends to develop over many years, making it difficult to identify until much later when kidney function is severely impaired and undergoing kidney failure. Although conservative care, symptom management, medication, dialysis, transplantation, and aggressive renal cancer therapy are some of the current strategies/approaches to kidney disease treatment, new preventative targeted therapies are needed. Epidemiological studies have suggested that a diet rich in fruits and vegetables is associated with health benefits including protection against kidney disease and renal cancer. Resveratrol, a polyphenol found in grapes and berries, has been reported to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, neuroprotective, and anti-cancer properties. The current review summarizes the existing in vitro and in vivo animal and human studies examining the nephroprotective effects of resveratrol.


2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sija Landman ◽  
Chiel van der Horst ◽  
Piet E. J. van Erp ◽  
Irma Joosten ◽  
Rob de Vries ◽  
...  

AbstractInflammatory disorders like diabetes, systemic lupus erythematodes, inflammatory lung diseases, rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis, but also rejection of transplanted organs and GvHD, form a major burden of disease. Current classes of immune suppressive drugs to treat these disorders are never curative and side effects are common. Therefore there is a need for new drugs with improved and more targeted modes of action. Potential candidates are the DNA methyl transferase inhibitor 5-azacytidine (Aza) and its derivative 5-aza 2′deoxycitidine (DAC). Aza and DAC have been tested in several pre-clinical in vivo studies. In order to obtain an overview of disorders for which Aza and/or DAC can be a potential treatment, and to find out where information is lacking, we systematically reviewed pre-clinical animal studies assessing Aza or DAC as a potential therapy for distinct inflammatory disorders. Also, study quality and risk of bias was systematically assessed. In the 35 identified studies, we show that both Aza and DAC do not only seem to be able to alleviate a number of inflammatory disorders, but also prevent solid organ rejection and GvHD in in vivo pre-clinical animal models. Aza/DAC are known to upregulate FOXP3, a master transcription factor for Treg, in vitro. Seventeen studies described the effect on Treg, of which 16 studies showed an increase in Treg. Increasing Treg therefore seems to be a common mechanism in preventing inflammatory disorders by Aza/DAC. We also found, however, that many essential methodological details were poorly reported leading to an unclear risk of bias. Therefore, reported effects might be an overestimation of the true effect.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (12) ◽  
pp. 6541
Author(s):  
Kamila Kasprzak-Drozd ◽  
Tomasz Oniszczuk ◽  
Jakub Soja ◽  
Marek Gancarz ◽  
Karolina Wojtunik-Kulesza ◽  
...  

Epidemiological studies have emphasized the association between a diet rich in fruits and vegetables and a lower frequency of occurrence of inflammatory-related disorders. Black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa L.) is a valuable source of biologically active compounds that have been widely investigated for their role in health promotion and cardiovascular disease prevention. Many in vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated that consumption of these fruits is associated with significant improvements in hypertension, LDL oxidation, lipid peroxidation, total plasma antioxidant capacity and dyslipidemia. The mechanisms for these beneficial effects include upregulation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase, decreased oxidative stress, and inhibition of inflammatory gene expression. Collected findings support the recommendation of such berries as an essential fruit group in a heart-healthy diet. The aim of this review was to summarize the reports on the impact of black chokeberry fruits and extracts against several cardiovascular diseases, e.g., hyperlipidemia, hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, as well as to provide an analysis of the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect of these fruits in the abovementioned disorders.


Foods ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 3083
Author(s):  
Cristina M. González ◽  
Isabel Hernando ◽  
Gemma Moraga

The link between nutrition and health has focused on the strategy of diet-based programs to deal with various physiological threats, such as cardiovascular disease, oxidative stress, and diabetes. Therefore, the consumption of fruits and vegetables as a safeguard for human health is increasingly important. Among fruits, the intake of persimmon is of great interest because several studies have associated its consumption with health benefits due to its high content of bioactive compounds, fiber, minerals, and vitamins. However, during digestion, some changes take place in persimmon nutritional compounds that condition their subsequent use by the human body. In vitro studies indicate different rates of recovery and bioaccessibility depending on the bioactive compound and the matrix in which they are found. In vivo studies show that the pharmacological application of persimmon or its functional components, such as proanthocyanidins, can help to prevent hyperlipidemia and hyperglycemia. Thus, persimmon and persimmon derived products have the potential to be a fruit recommended for diet therapy. This review aims to compile an updated review of the benefits of persimmon and its derived products, focusing on the in vitro and in vivo digestibility of the main nutrients and bioactive compounds.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1555-1568 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vemana Gowd ◽  
Qingzheng Kang ◽  
Qi Wang ◽  
Qiang Wang ◽  
Feng Chen ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a severe complication of diabetes mellitus (DM). Dietary habits play a major role in determining the onset and progression of DM-related disorders and a proper diet (rich in fruits and vegetables) can delay or prevent the process of DM pathogenesis. Thus, increasing attention has been paid to polyphenols and polyphenol-rich foods since their increased intake has been associated with a reduced incidence of DM and its associated complications. Resveratrol is a polyphenolic phytoalexin that is mainly found in grapevines and berries. It is available in various pharmaceutical dosages and is widely recommended as a dietary supplement due to its beneficial effects. Remarkably, resveratrol's capability to effectively lower blood glucose levels without any side effects has been amply demonstrated in many in vitro and in vivo studies. Herein, we comprehensively review and discuss the nephroprotective effect of resveratrol during DN and its associated mechanisms. Resveratrol exerts its nephroprotective effects via various mechanisms including reducing oxidative stress and advanced glycation end-product (AGE) production, stimulating autophagy, inhibiting endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and inflammation, ameliorating lipotoxicity, activating the AMP kinase (AMPK) pathway, and modulating angiogenesis. Moreover, the use of resveratrol as an adjuvant to conventional antidiabetic therapies could be an effective approach to manage DN in humans. However, evidence is scarce to support whether resveratrol has beneficial effects in humans during DN. Therefore, clinical studies are warranted to elucidate resveratrol's role against DN.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (12) ◽  
pp. 6602
Author(s):  
Magdalena Kluska ◽  
Katarzyna Woźniak

Polyphenols are naturally occurring compounds found in abundance in fruits and vegetables. Their health-promoting properties and their use in the prevention and treatment of many human diseases, including cancer, have been known for years. Many anti-cancer drugs are derived from these natural compounds. Etoposide, which is a semi-synthetic derivative of podophyllotoxin, a non-alkaloid lignan isolated from the dried roots and rhizomes of Podophyllum peltatum or Podophyllum emodi (Berberidaceae), is an example of such a compound. In this review, we present data on the effects of polyphenols on the anti-cancer activity of etoposide in in vitro and in vivo studies.


2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
T H Ranahewa ◽  
A. D. Premarathna ◽  
R.M. K.K. Wijesundara ◽  
V. Wijewardana ◽  
A. P. Jayasooriya ◽  
...  

Seaweed is an enormous resource comprised with natural bioactive compounds comprise with several therapeutic effects including anticancer activity. In this context, the biochemical composition of seaweeds plays a major role. Many biochemical compounds extracted from seaweeds and crude extracts, such as aqueous, methanolic account mainly for the anticancer effect against several cancer cell line. In this contrast seaweed extracts inhibit cancer cell growth and proliferation by inducing apoptosis and inhibit metastasis activity. In this review, biochemical and anticancer properties of seaweeds are discussed and this will provide the basic information to develop a novel chemotherapeutic drug to challenge the cancer. 


2007 ◽  
Vol 35 (5) ◽  
pp. 1156-1160 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Alarcón de la Lastra ◽  
I. Villegas

Resveratrol (3,4′,5-trihydroxystilbene) is found in various plants, including grapes, berries and peanuts. It is also present in wines, especially red wines. During the last years, it has been the focus of numerous in vitro and in vivo studies investigating its biological attributes, which include mainly antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, anti-platelet aggregation effect, anti-atherogenic property, oestrogen-like growth-promoting effect, growth-inhibiting activity, immunomodulation and chemoprevention. In fact, recently, it has been demonstrated that the stilbene blocks the multistep process of carcinogenesis at various stages: tumour initiation, promotion and progression. More recent results provide interesting insights into the effect of this compound on the life span of yeasts and flies, implicating the potential of resveratrol as an anti-aging agent in treating age-related human diseases. Nevertheless, depending on the concentration of the phytoalexin and the cell type, it has also been shown that resveratrol can exhibit pro-oxidant properties, leading to oxidative breakage of cellular DNA in the presence of transition metal ions such as copper. Recently, it has been proposed that such a pro-oxidant action could be a common mechanism for anticancer and chemopreventive properties of plant polyphenols. The present paper is intended to provide the reader up-to-date information on the antioxidant and pro-oxidant properties of resveratrol and its clinical implications.


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