The Hallmarks of Flavonoids in Cancer

Abstract

Flavonoids represent an important group of bioactive compounds derived from plant-based foods and beverages with known biological activity in cells. From the modulation of inflammation to the inhibition of cell proliferation, flavonoids have been described as important therapeutic adjuvants against several diseases, including diabetes, arteriosclerosis, neurological disorders, and cancer. Cancer is a complex and multifactor disease that has been studied for years however, its prevention is still one of the best known and efficient factors impacting the epidemiology of the disease. In the molecular and cellular context, some of the mechanisms underlying the oncogenesis and the progression of the disease are understood, known as the hallmarks of cancer. In this text, we review important molecular signaling pathways, including inflammation, immunity, redox metabolism, cell growth, autophagy, apoptosis, and cell cycle, and analyze the known mechanisms of action of flavonoids in cancer. The current literature provides enough evidence supporting that flavonoids may be important adjuvants in cancer therapy, highlighting the importance of healthy and balanced diets to prevent the onset and progression of the disease.

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

“…Consumption of flavonoids is reported to induce apoptosis in GI cancer, acting as a potential therapeutic agent [147]. Flavonoids could induce apoptosis by acting on the intrinsic apoptotic pathway, as in the case of fisetin.…”

Immunomodulatory Effects of a Concoction of Natural Bioactive Compounds—Mechanistic Insights

“…Various studies reported that API, OA, BA, and BS administration inhibits NF-κB (IkBa) kinase (IKKß) and phosphorylation of IkBa, which leads to the suppression of NF-κB activation [ 14 , 20 , 22 , 23 , 24 ]. TNFR activation by TNF-α is also important for TAK1 activation, and consequently, activation of NF-κB signaling [ 6 ]. It is perceived that Th-1 derived cytokines such as IL-2, IFN-γ, and IL-12 improve cellular immunity, whereas Th-2 derived cytokines such as IL-4, IL-5, IL-6 employ negative immunoregulatory effects on cellular immunity.…”

“…M1 and M2 cells have diverse chemokine and chemokine receptor repertoires and thus orchestrate different immune responses. It is seen that QU and API may indirectly prevent inflammation by affecting peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) activity, antagonizing the NF-κB pathway or Activator protein 1 (AP-1) transcriptional activation of inflammatory genes, thereby reducing inflammation by successfully differentiating infiltrating macrophages to an anti-inflammatory M2 phenotype [ 6 , 9 , 27 ].…”

“…API and QU are flavonoids that demonstrate various biological properties such as antioxidant, anti-mutagenic, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-viral, anti-tumour, anti-allergic, neuroprotective, and cardioprotective actions. They are, therefore, potential therapeutic entities [ 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 ]. Other functions include regulation of angiogenesis, wound healing, smooth muscle cell proliferation, fibrosis, and inflammation [ 11 ].…”

Characterization and profiling of polyphenolics of Brassica microgreens by LC-HRMS/MS and the effect under LED light

“…The acylated flavonoids are mainly with hydroxycinnamic acids (HCA), particularly coumaric, caffeic, sinapic and ferulic acids (Olsen et al, 2009;Sun et al, 2013). Recent review papers have compiled numerous studies pointing towards the neuroprotective and anti-carcinogenic effects of flavonoids, suggesting a diet containing these compounds may be part of the treatment for Alzheimer's disease and several cancers (Kim and Park, 2021;Ponte et al, 2021).…”