Terpenoids and breast cancer chemoprevention

Abstract

Cancer chemoprevention is defined as the use of natural or synthetic agents that reverse, suppress or arrest carcinogenic and/or malignant phenotype progression towards invasive cancer. Phytochemicals obtained from vegetables, fruits, spices, herbs and medicinal plants, such as terpenoids, carotenoids, flavanoids, phenolic compounds, and other groups of compounds have shown promise in suppressing experimental carcinogenesis in various organs. Recent studies have indicated that mechanisms underlying chemopreventive action may include combinations of anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, immune-enhancing, and anti-hormone effects. Further, modification of drug-metabolizing enzymes, and influences on cell cycling and differentiation, induction of apoptosis, and suppression of proliferation and angiogenesis that play a role in the initiation and secondary modification of neoplastic development, have also been under investigation as possible mechanisms. This review will highlight the biological effects of terpenoids as chemopreventive agents on breast epithelial carcinogenesis, and the utility of intermediate biomarkers as indicators of premalignancy. Selected breast chemoprevention trials are discussed with a focus on strategies for trial design, and clinical outcomes. Future directions in the field of chemoprevention are proposed based on recently acquired mechanistic insights into breast carcinogenesis.

<i>In Vitro</i> Antimetastatic Activity of Koetjapic Acid against Breast Cancer Cells

“…Triterpenes are a class of phytochemicals with strong anticancer activity toward a variety of cancers, including breast cancer. 20,21) KA is a seco-A-ring oleanene triterpene isolated from S. koetjape. 11,22) In this study, KA exhibited a modest dose dependent antiproliferative activity, with an IC 50 value of 68.88±6.075 μg/ mL.…”

Terpenoids as potential chemopreventive and therapeutic agents in liver cancer

“…Based on the number of building blocks, terpenoids are classified into several classes, such as monoterpenes (e.g., carvone, geraniol, d-limonene, and perillyl alcohol), diterpenes (e.g. retinol and trans-retinoic acid), triterpenes [e.g., betulinic acid (BA), lupeol, oleanic acid, and ursolic acid (UA)], and tetraterpenes (e.g., α-carotene, β-carotene, lutein, and lycopene) [45] . The diverse array of terpenoid structures and functions has provoked increased interest in their commercial use.…”

“…The diverse array of terpenoid structures and functions has provoked increased interest in their commercial use. Terpenoids have been found to be useful in the prevention and therapy of several diseases, including cancer, and also to have antimicrobial, antifungal, antiparasitic, antiviral, anti-allergenic, antispasmodic, antihyperglycemic, antiinflammatory, and immunomodulatory properties [45][46][47][48] . In addition, terpenoids can be used as protective substances in storing agriculture products as they are known to have insecticidal properties [49] .…”

Medicinal Potentials and Toxicity Concerns of Bioactive Principles

“…Studies have shown that the terpenoids possesses anti-microbial, anti-fungal, anti-parasitic, anti-viral, anti-allergenic, anti-spasmodic, anti-hyperglycemic, anti-inflammatory and immune modulatory properties [173,190,191]. Although early experimental data showed that the most common terpenes (D-limonene) caused increased incidence of renal tubular tumors in male rats, no evidence of any tumor was observed in female rats and mice of both sexes [192].…”