Dietary Phytochemicals in the Chemoprevention and Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: In Vivo Evidence, Molecular Targets, and Clinical Relevance

Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), one of the most common and lethal cancers, is a growing menace in modern society. Until recently, the majority of detected cases of liver cancer have been found in the developing nations of Asia and Africa; however, its occurrence has significantly increased in the United States. HCC occurs due to several etiologies, such as alcoholism, dietary carcinogens, iron overload, viral hepatitis, as well as several hepatic chronic diseases. In view of the limited treatment options, such as surgery and transplantation, a critical need exists to examine alternative approaches. The use of phytochemicals obtained from dietary sources provides a novel and fascinating preventive and therapeutic approach against HCC. Dietary phytochemicals possess potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties which are extremely critical to combat the significant oxidative stress and inflammation implicated in liver cancer. An impressive number of phytochemicals have shown considerable promise as candidates for the prevention and treatment of HCC. In this article, we systematically review the in vivo pre-clinical evidence documenting the chemopreventive and therapeutic potential of several important dietary phytochemicals in HCC. This review critically examines the molecular mechanisms of the pharmacological effects of the aforementioned animal studies. Clinical and epidemiological studies are also highlighted in this review. Emerging issues such as bioavailability, dose optimization, targeted drug delivery, role of botanical extracts and synergy are also discussed. Finally, current challenges, limitations, future directions, innovative concepts and novel hypotheses for the use of dietary phytochemicals in the chemoprevention and amelioration of human HCC are presented.

Antitumour and free radical scavenging effects of γ-mangostin isolated from Garcinia mangostana pericarps against hepatocellular carcinoma cell

“…The use of phytochemicals obtained from dietary sources provides a novel and fascinating preventive and therapeutic approach against HCC. Dietary phytochemicals possess potent antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory properties that are extremely critical to combat the significant oxidative stress and inflammation implicated in liver cancer . In our previous studies, we have been confirmed the anti‐inflammatory properties, and the apoptosis‐inducing effects of γ‐mangostin in U87 MG, GBM 8401 and HT‐29 cell lines .…”

Chemoprevention of Diethylnitrosamine-Initiated and Phenobarbital-Promoted Hepatocarcinogenesis in Rats by Sulfated Polysaccharides and Aqueous Extract of Ulva lactuca

“…[8][9][10][11] Recently, identification of bioactive constituents from medicinal and dietary plants to suppress hepatic tumorigenesis is gaining considerable attention. [12][13][14][15][16] Marine algae have long been used as a fresh food with potential nutritional benefits and treatment for various disorders. 17 Various marine bioactive compounds such as phenolics, carotenoids, terpenoids, and polysaccharide sulfates, exhibit potent antioxidant activities.…”

Autophagy: A Potential Therapeutic Target of Polyphenols in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

“…Several anticancer drugs, such as vinblastine, teniposide, camptothecin, docetaxel, etoposide, and paclitaxel, have been either identified in natural sources or synthesized by modification of molecules having natural origins [6,7]. Numerous natural products, including phytochemicals of dietary and non-dietary origin, have been shown to modulate various signaling pathways linked to hepatocarcinogenesis in vitro and in vivo, which could be valuable for the prevention and treatment of HCC [8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16].…”