Polyphenols: Immunomodulatory and Therapeutic Implication in Colorectal Cancer

Abstract

Polyphenolic compounds, widely present in fruits, vegetables, and cereals, have potential benefits for human health and are protective agents against the development of chronic/degenerative diseases including cancer. More recently these bioactive molecules have been gaining great interest as anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory agents, mainly in neoplasia where the pro-inflammatory context might promote carcinogenesis. Colorectal cancer (CRC) is considered a major public healthy issue, a leading cause of cancer mortality and morbidity worldwide. Epidemiological, pre-clinical and clinical investigations have consistently highlighted important relationships between large bowel inflammation, gut microbiota (GM), and colon carcinogenesis. Many experimental studies and clinical evidence suggest that polyphenols have a relevant role in CRC chemoprevention, exhibit cytotoxic capability vs. CRC cells and induce increased sensitization to chemo/radiotherapies. These effects are most likely related to the immunomodulatory properties of polyphenols able to modulate cytokine and chemokine production and activation of immune cells. In this review we summarize recent advancements on immunomodulatory activities of polyphenols and their ability to counteract the inflammatory tumor microenvironment. We focus on potential role of natural polyphenols in increasing the cell sensitivity to colon cancer therapies, highlighting the polyphenol-based combined treatments as innovative immunomodulatory strategies to inhibit the growth of CRC.

Antibacterial Activity of Some Flavonoids and Organic Acids Widely Distributed in Plants

“…Dietary polyphenols such as flavonoids and phenolic acids, consumed in large quantities in foods of plant origin, exhibit a number of beneficial effects and play an important role in the prevention of chronic and degenerative diseases. Not only their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, but also neuroprotective, anticancer, immunomodulatory, antidiabetic, and anti-adipogenic properties have been shown [12,13]. Biological availability of dietary polyphenols is low as compared with micro-and macronutrients.…”

Correlations between Microbiota Bioactivity and Bioavailability of Functional Compounds: A Mini-Review

“…Together with probiotics and prebiotics, natural biocomponents (such as polyphenolic acids) are a target in the fight against chronic pathologies. These targets are determined by inflammatory progression, which is the true cause of most degenerative pathologies, and sustained by the constant pressure of oxidative stress [25].…”

Olive‐Oil‐Derived Polyphenols Effectively Attenuate Inflammatory Responses of Human Keratinocytes by Interfering with the NF‐κB Pathway

“…In fact, natural products have already revolutionized the management of several diseases in medical practice . Polyphenols, compounds with at least one aromatic ring with a hydroxyl group attached to it, are active constituents among plant‐derived natural products and exhibit important in vitro and in vivo properties, including anti‐aging, antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, anti‐diabetes, anti‐hypercholesterolemia, and anticancer …”