Enzymatic Metabolism of Flavonoids by Gut Microbiota and Its Impact on Gastrointestinal Cancer

Abstract

Gastrointestinal (GI) cancer is a prevalent global health disease with a massive burden on health care providers. Internal and external factors such as obesity, smoking, diet (red meat), low socioeconomic status and infection with Helicobacter pylori are the critical risk factors of GI cancers. Flavonoids are natural phenolic compounds found abundantly in fruits and vegetables. Upon ingestion, 90% of flavonoids consumed require further enzymatic metabolism by the gut microbiome to enhance their bioavailability and absorption. Several epidemiological studies reported that consumption of flavonoids and their enzymatic conversion by gut microbes is strongly associated with the reduced risk of GI cancer development. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the enzymatic conversion of flavonoids by the human gut microbiome. It also addresses the underlying anti-GI cancer effects on metabolic pathways such as apoptosis and cellular proliferation. Overall, metabolites produced from flavonoid’s enzymatic conversion illustrate anti-GI cancer effects, but the mechanisms of action need further clarification.

Flavonoids-Rich Plant Extracts Against Helicobacter pylori Infection as Prevention to Gastric Cancer

“…This review on flavonoids’ antimicrobial and anticancer action is in line with recent literature ( Al-Ishaq et al, 2021 ; González et al, 2021 ; Li et al, 2022 ). Altogether, data demonstrate the great potential of these compounds in combating H. pylori infection and gastric cancer protection.…”

Gastrointestinal Autonomic Neuropathy Exacerbates Gut Microbiota Dysbiosis in Adult Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

“…Carotenoids are one of the lipids that are bioactive and well recognized for their antioxidant activities and regulation of cellular growth and immune response ( Al-Ishaq et al., 2020 ). Flavonoids, natural phenolic compounds found abundantly in fruits and vegetables, were reported to have potentially anti-neurodegenerative, anti-inflammatory, anti-cardiovascular activities and anticancer abilities ( Al-Ishaq et al., 2021 ). In addition, several studies have shown that Fusobacterium_nucleatum is an emerging pathogen, which has been implicated as a causal microbe in several diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, including CD and colorectal cancer ( Cochrane et al., 2020 ).…”

Promising Antiviral Activities of Natural Flavonoids against SARS-CoV-2 Targets: Systematic Review

“…Based on their chemical structure, flavonoids are segregated into various classes, among which there are further subclasses [29,30]. They were extensively studied and recently gained increased interest among researchers and clinicians for their antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and antiviral properties with numerous mechanisms to prevent infection and strengthen host immunity [31][32][33][34][35][36][37]. Among their many beneficial effects, antiviral properties can serve as a future therapeutic utility for drugging COVID-19.…”