An Update on the Effects of Glyceollins on Human Health: Possible Anticancer Effects and Underlying Mechanisms

Abstract

Biologically active plant-based compounds, commonly referred to as phytochemicals, can influence the expression and function of various receptors and transcription factors or signaling pathways that play vital roles in cellular functions and are then involved in human health and diseases. Thus, phytochemicals may have a great potential to prevent and treat chronic diseases. Glyceollins, a group of phytoalexins that are isolated from soybeans, have attracted attention because they exert numerous effects on human functions and diseases, notably anticancer effects. In this review, we have presented an update on the effects of glyceollins in relation to their potential beneficial roles in human health. Despite a growing number of studies suggesting that this new family of phytochemicals can be involved in critical cellular pathways, such as estrogen receptor, protein kinase, and lipid kinase signaling pathways, future investigations will be needed to better understand their molecular mechanisms and their specific significance in biomedical applications.

Effects of the fruiting period and growing seasons on market quality in goji berry (Lycium barbarum L.)

“…Consumption of berry fruits, which are defined as functional foods, has shown an increasing trend mainly because of their superior phytochemical properties (Demir and Aktas, 2018). These phyto-compounds have high antioxidant effects and reduce the risk of many chronic diseases, including cancer and cardiovascular diseases by preventing the onset of oxidation and peroxidation reactions (Tang and Tsao, 2017;Pham et al, 2019). Moreover, these compounds have been reported to improve the plant defence mechanisms against biotic and abiotic stress factors by regulating many different physiological processes (Verdaguer et al, 2017;Zheng et al, 2019).…”

Characterization of Glyceollins as Novel Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Ligands and Their Role in Cell Migration

“…Glyceollins, a group of phytoalexins isolated from soybeans, have attracted attention since 2000, because they exert numerous effects on human functions and diseases, notably cancer. Since the discovery of their properties, many studies have elucidated their mechanism of anticancer action, particularly in breast cancer [8]. However, this study is the first to show the effect of glyceollins on AhR signaling and on triple-negative BC cell migration.…”

“…They serve as a protective system in plants through their antibacterial, antifungal and antinematode actions [7]. Recently, glyceollins have attracted positive attention because of their beneficial effects in human health [8,9]. In particular, glyceollins have shown anticancer effects in both estrogen receptor (ER)-dependent and ER-independent BC [8].…”

“…Recently, glyceollins have attracted positive attention because of their beneficial effects in human health [8,9]. In particular, glyceollins have shown anticancer effects in both estrogen receptor (ER)-dependent and ER-independent BC [8]. In the ER-dependent pathway, glyceollins have antiproliferative effects on mammary glands in vivo, on various ER-positive BC cells in vitro and on breast tumor cells in xenograft mice.…”

Acidity stress for the systemic elicitation of glyceollin phytoalexins in soybean plants

“…[6][7][8] They also exhibit anticancer, antidiabetic, and neuroprotective properties that have been the subject of recent reviews. [9][10][11] Glyceollin I, in particular, inhibits the proliferation and survival of a broad range of cancer types by inhibiting ER signaling and by other unclear mechanism(s). [12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19] Conversely, glyceollins promote the survival of challenged neurons by stimulating the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway.…”