Dendritic Cells (DCs)-Based Cancer Immunotherapy: A Review on the Prospects of Medicinal Plants and Their Phytochemicals as Potential Pharmacological Modulators

Abstract

Dendritic cells (DCs) are specialized antigen-presenting cells in humans and animals that provide antigen-specific T-cell immunity in the body. It also establishes a linkage between innate and adaptive immune responses. Various studies have shown that malignancies or cancer may impair DCs and effector T-cell functions. DCs have now become a new molecular target for the treatment of cancer. Modified matured DCs could be novel biological modifiers to treat various diseases, including cancer. This review aims to provide an update on the impacts of various plant materials and their phytochemicals on DC-based cancer immunotherapy. Existing literature on DC-based cancer immunotherapy and plant-based pharmacological modulators has been explored over the last decade using various online databases such as Google Scholar, PubMed, Science Direct, and Scopus. Mounting evidence from preclinical and clinical findings suggests that various plants and their bioactive phytochemicals are effective in modulating the immune system and signaling pathways involved in anti-tumor immunity. Despite the prospective role of herbs in DC-based cancer immunotherapy, most of the studies are limited by either preclinical models or crude plant extracts. This review provides a useful perspective for developing potential plant-derived pharmacological modulators in DC-based cancer immunotherapy.

Antitumor Mechanisms of Lycium barbarum Fruit: An Overview of In Vitro and In Vivo Potential

“…Here, phosphorylation of ERK, JNK, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, and Nf-κB are the molecules in the valley of TLR4. L. barbarum polysaccharides have been reported to induce TLR4-mediated functional activation of DCs through NF-κB activation [ 131 ].…”

Potential Therapeutic Implication of Herbal Medicine in Mitochondria-Mediated Oxidative Stress-Related Liver Diseases

“…The effects of herbal substances on reducing oxidative stress and reactive oxygen species in liver disease caused by mitochondria presented in Figure 5 . As a result of its ability to block growth factors including TGF and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), induce apoptosis, and regulate MAPK pathways, naringenin offers protection against the development of HCC [ 163 , 164 ]. It has been demonstrated beyond a reasonable doubt that silymarin is effective in inhibiting OS; hence, its utilization is advised for the treatment of ALD and NAFLD [ 165 ].…”

Special Issue: “Bioactive Compounds from Various Sources: Beneficial Effects and Technological Applications II”

“…Ahmed et al evaluated the effects of various plant matrices and their phytochemical compounds in terms of modulating the immune system and signaling pathways involved in anti-tumor immunity. Although further studies are necessary, the data obtained were sufficiently encouraging to allow the authors to create pharmacological modulators of plant origin for dendritic cell-based anti-tumor immunotherapy [21].…”