Targeting inflammatory pathways by flavonoids for prevention and treatment of cancer

Planta Med. 2010 Aug;76(11):1044-63. doi: 10.1055/s-0030-1250111. Epub 2010 Jul 15.

Abstract

Observational studies have suggested that lifestyle risk factors such as tobacco, alcohol, high-fat diet, radiation, and infections can cause cancer and that a diet consisting of fruits and vegetables can prevent cancer. Evidence from our laboratory and others suggests that agents either causing or preventing cancer are linked through the regulation of inflammatory pathways. Genes regulated by the transcription factor NF- kappaB have been shown to mediate inflammation, cellular transformation, tumor cell survival, proliferation, invasion, angiogenesis, and metastasis. Whereas various lifestyle risk factors have been found to activate NF- kappaB and NF- kappaB-regulated gene products, flavonoids derived from fruits and vegetables have been found to suppress this pathway. The present review describes various flavones, flavanones, flavonols, isoflavones, anthocyanins, and chalcones derived from fruits, vegetables, legumes, spices, and nuts that can suppress the proinflammatory cell signaling pathways and thus can prevent and even treat the cancer.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anthocyanins / metabolism
  • Anthocyanins / pharmacology
  • Anthocyanins / therapeutic use
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / pharmacology
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / therapeutic use*
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Chemokines / genetics
  • Chemokines / metabolism
  • Chemokines / physiology
  • Cytokines / drug effects
  • Cytokines / physiology
  • Flavonoids / chemistry
  • Flavonoids / metabolism
  • Flavonoids / pharmacology
  • Flavonoids / therapeutic use*
  • Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects
  • Inflammation / drug therapy*
  • Inflammation / physiopathology
  • NF-kappa B / antagonists & inhibitors
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism
  • NF-kappa B / physiology*
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Neoplasms / physiopathology
  • Neoplasms / prevention & control*
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / drug therapy
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / metabolism
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects*

Substances

  • Anthocyanins
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
  • Chemokines
  • Cytokines
  • Flavonoids
  • NF-kappa B
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors