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In this study, we assessed the therapeutic potential of propolis from Poland and performed chemical analysis by GC–MS, as well as determined its botanical origin. Chemical constituents typical for bud exudates of Populus nigra (section Aigeiros) were determined, however, glycerol esters of phenolic acids, as well as unusually high amounts of p-coumaric and ferulic acid and their benzyl esters, were also detected. These constituents are characteristic for buds of Populus tremula (section Leuce). We also evaluated the antiproliferative effect of propolis extracts against nine human cancer cell lines. Additionally, promising antibacterial activity of the dichloromethane extract (Minimal Inhibitory Concentration MIC values of 0.95–1.24 mg/mL), as well as a moderate antifungal activity (MIC values of 1.25–1.40 mg/mL), was noticed. Propolis from Poland appeared as a rich source of antibacterial and antiproliferative compounds and this confirmed that it is a valuable natural product with the potential to improve human health.

In recent years, natural edible products have been found to be important therapeutic agents for the treatment of chronic human diseases including cancer, cardiovascular disease, and neurodegeneration. Curcumin is a well-known diarylheptanoid constituent of turmeric which possesses anticancer effects under both pre-clinical and clinical conditions. Moreover, it is well known that the anticancer effects of curcumin are primarily due to the activation of apoptotic pathways in the cancer cells as well as inhibition of tumor microenvironments like inflammation, angiogenesis, and tumor metastasis. In particular, extensive studies have demonstrated that curcumin targets numerous therapeutically important cancer signaling pathways such as p53, Ras, PI3K, AKT, Wnt-β catenin, mTOR and so on. Clinical studies also suggested that either curcumin alone or as combination with other drugs possess promising anticancer effect in cancer patients without causing any adverse effects. In this article, we critically review the available scientific evidence on the molecular targets of curcumin for the treatment of different types of cancer. In addition, we also discuss its chemistry, sources, bioavailability, and future research directions.

In the past decades, extensive studies have reported the potential chemopreventive activity of sulforaphane, an isothiocyanate derived from glucoraphanin, occurring in large amounts in Brassica genus plants. Sulforaphane was found to be active against several forms of cancer. A growing body of data shows that sulforaphane acts against cancer at different levels, from development to progression, through pleiotropic effects. In this review, we discuss the available experimental and clinical data on the potential therapeutic role of sulforaphane against cancer. Its effects range from the protection of cells from DNA damage to the modulation of the cell cycle via pro-apoptotic, anti-angiogenesis and anti-metastasis activities. At molecular level, sulforaphane modulates cellular homeostasis via the activation of the transcription factor Nrf2. Although data from clinical studies are limited, sulforaphane remains a good candidate in the adjuvant therapy based on natural molecules against several types of cancer.

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