The increasing rate of autoimmune disorders and cancer in recent years has been a controversial issue in all aspects of prevention, diagnosis, prognosis and treatment. Among dietary factors, flavonoids have specific immunomodulatory effects that might be of importance to several cancers. Over different types of immune cells, T lymphocytes play a critical role in protecting the immune system as well as in the pathogenesis of specific autoimmune diseases. One of the important mediators of metabolism and immune system is mTOR, especially in T lymphocytes. In the current review, we assessed the effects of flavonoids on the immune system and then their impact on the mTOR pathway. Flavonoids can suppress mTOR activity and are consequently able to induce the T regulatory subset.

The increasing rate of autoimmune disorders and cancer in recent years has been a controversial issue in all aspects of prevention, diagnosis, prognosis and treatment. Among dietary factors, flavonoids have specific immunomodulatory effects that might be of importance to several cancers. Over different types of immune cells, T lymphocytes play a critical role in protecting the immune system as well as in the pathogenesis of specific autoimmune diseases. One of the important mediators of metabolism and immune system is mTOR, especially in T lymphocytes. In the current review, we assessed the effects of flavonoids on the immune system and then their impact on the mTOR pathway. Flavonoids can suppress mTOR activity and are consequently able to induce the T regulatory subset.

Background and Aims: Hyperlipidemia is one of clear risk factors of diabetes. Regarding its importance, this study was designed to compare the effects of olive oil and grape seed oil on serum lipids and blood pressure in patients with hyperlipidemia in 2015. Methods and Results: In this clinical trial, 60 patients with hyperlipidemia who met inclusion criteria were recruited. Subjects were randomly assigned 3 groups: 1) consume 20 ml/day refined olive oil; 2) consume 20 ml/day grape seed oil; 3) the control group received no oil. The study period was six weeks. All participants were under Step I diet. Height and weight measurements were taken by Seca scale. Blood pressure, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, triglyceride and fasting blood sugar were measured at baseline and after 6 weeks by standard methods. Low-density lipoprotein levels were calculated by the Friedewald's formula. Data were analyzed with ANOVA test in SPSS software version 16.0. Sixty participants (36 female and 24 male) with the average age of 47.5 ± 9 y and the mean body mass index of 31.78 ± 5.41 kg/m 2 had completed the study. Olive oil intervention decreased systolic blood pressure significantly compared to grape seed oil group (P = 0.01). Triglyceride was significantly decreased in olive oil and also triglyceride groups (P = 0.02 and 0.004, respectively). Conclusion: Overall, the effects of olive oil and grape seed oil were better than control group. However, we suggest the substitution of dietary lipids with olive oil because of its more beneficial effects. Registration number for clinical trial: IRCT2014070218329N1 registration code in Iran Clinical Trial site.

Despite the success of cancer therapy, it has encountered a major obstacle due to the complicated nature of cancer, namely resistance. The recurrence and metastasis of cancer occur when anti-cancer therapeutic agents fail to eradicate all cancer cells. Cancer therapy aims to find the best agent that targets all cancer cells, including those sensitive or resistant to treatment. Flavonoids, natural products from our diet, show anti-cancer effects in different studies. They can inhibit metastasis and the recurrence of cancers. This review discusses metastasis, autophagy, anoikis in cancer cells, and their dynamic relationship. We present evidence that flavonoids can block metastasis and induce cell death in cancer cells. Our research suggests that flavonoids can serve as potential therapeutic agents in cancer therapy.