Resveratrol, cancer and cancer stem cells: A review on past to future

Abstract

Cancer remains to be an unresolved medical challenge despite of tremendous advancement in basic science research and clinical medicine. One of the major limitations is due to the side effects of chemotherapy which remains to be palliative without offering any permanent cure for cancer. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are the subpopulation of cells in tumors that remain viable even after surgery, chemo- and radio-therapy that eventually responsible for tumor relapse. Hence, by eliminating non-stem cancer cells and cancer stem cells from the patient, permanent cure is expected. Phytochemicals have been under the intensive study to target these CSCs effectively and permanently as they do not cause any side effects. Resveratrol (RSV) is one such compound attaining lot of interest in recent days to target CSCs either alone or in combination. RSV has been used by several researchers to target cancer cells in a variety of disease models, however its CSC targeting abilities are under intensive study at present. This review is to summarize the effects of RSV under in vitro and in vivo conditions along with advantages and disadvantages of its uses against cancer cells and cancer stem cells. From the first reports on phytochemical applications against cancer and cancer stem cells in 1997 and 2002 respectively followed by later reports, up to date observations and developments are enlisted from PubMed in this comprehensive review. RSV is shown to be a potential compound having impact on altering the signal transduction pathways in cancer cells. However, the effects are variable under in vitro and in vivo conditions, and also with its use alone or in combination with other small molecules. Past research on RSV is emphasizing the importance of in vivo experimental models and clinical trials with different prospective combinations, is a hope for future promising treatment regimen.

Role of Resveratrol as Radiosensitizer by Targeting Cancer Stem Cells in Radioresistant Prostate Cancer Cells (PC-3)

“…Phytochemicals have been extensively studied in order to target CSCs effectively because they have no negative effects. Resveratrol is one such molecule that has recently attracted a lot of attention for its potential to target CSCs either alone or in combination (Bhaskara et al, 2020). However, its molecular pathways underlying tumor arrest are unknown.…”

The plasticity of pancreatic cancer stem cells: implications in therapeutic resistance

“…Resveratrol (RSV; trans-3,4′,5-trihydroxystilbene) is a polyphenolic phytoalexin widely distributed in grapes, berries, peanuts, and hellebore [ 305 ]. RSV modulates a myriad of pathways that accounts for its potent anti-cancer effects including induction of apoptosis, increased radiosensitivity, cell cycle arrest, decreased cell proliferation, inhibition of invasion/metastasis, and enhanced autophagy [ 305 , 306 ].…”

“…Resveratrol (RSV; trans-3,4′,5-trihydroxystilbene) is a polyphenolic phytoalexin widely distributed in grapes, berries, peanuts, and hellebore [ 305 ]. RSV modulates a myriad of pathways that accounts for its potent anti-cancer effects including induction of apoptosis, increased radiosensitivity, cell cycle arrest, decreased cell proliferation, inhibition of invasion/metastasis, and enhanced autophagy [ 305 , 306 ]. Studies indicate that RSV markedly represses the proliferation and viability of human PCs [ 306 , 307 ], mediating its effects through the attenuation of various signal transduction pathways including the Hh signaling pathway [ 308 ].…”

Regulation of microRNA‐21 expression by natural products in cancer

“…Resveratrol (formula 4 in Figure 2) is a stilbenoid compound with diverse biological activities including antiinflammatory, anticancer, antioxidant, antiatherogenic, antiviral, and neuroprotective (Mohtashami et al, 2019). Although the promise of resveratrol as a therapeutic agent in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease has been questioned in light of the clinical findings (Sahebkar, 2013; Sahebkar et al, 2015), there are emerging data supporting the value of this phytochemical as an anticancer agent (Berretta et al, 2020; Bhaskara, Mittal, Mysorekar, Amaresh, & Simal‐Gandara, 2020). Resveratrol has been found to regulate the expression of several miRNAs in cancer cells (Bae et al, 2011).…”