Cited by 200Epigenetics and DNA MethylationNutrition, Genetics, and DiseasePhytochemicals and Antioxidant Activities

Epigenetic mechanisms in anti-cancer actions of bioactive food components—the implications in cancer prevention

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Stefanska, B, Karlic, H, Varga, F, Fabianowska‐Majewska, K, Haslberger, AG·2012·British Journal of Pharmacology

Abstract

The hallmarks of carcinogenesis are aberrations in gene expression and protein function caused by both genetic and epigenetic modifications. Epigenetics refers to the changes in gene expression programming that alter the phenotype in the absence of a change in DNA sequence. Epigenetic modifications, which include amongst others DNA methylation, covalent modifications of histone tails and regulation by non‐coding RNAs, play a significant role in normal development and genome stability. The changes are dynamic and serve as an adaptation mechanism to a wide variety of environmental and social factors including diet. A number of studies have provided evidence that some natural bioactive compounds found in food and herbs can modulate gene expression by targeting different elements of the epigenetic machinery. Nutrients that are components of one‐carbon metabolism, such as folate, riboflavin, pyridoxine, cobalamin, choline, betaine and methionine, affect DNA methylation by regulating the levels of S‐adenosyl‐L‐methionine, a methyl group donor, and S‐adenosyl‐L‐homocysteine, which is an inhibitor of enzymes catalyzing the DNA methylation reaction. Other natural compounds target histone modifications and levels of non‐coding RNAs such as vitamin D, which recruits histone acetylases, or resveratrol, which activates the deacetylase sirtuin and regulates oncogenic and tumour suppressor micro‐RNAs. As epigenetic abnormalities have been shown to be both causative and contributing factors in different health conditions including cancer, natural compounds that are direct or indirect regulators of the epigenome constitute an excellent approach in cancer prevention and potentially in anti‐cancer therapy.

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Crossref · 10.1111/j.1476-5381.2012.02002.x

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  • Many bioactive molecules in food and herbs, in addition to folate, can influence epigenetics and have been proposed as potential chemopreventative agents.

    “There are many bioactive molecules present in food and herbs, in addition to folate, that are capable of influencing epigenetics and that have been touted as potential chemopreventative agents. Examples include various B vitamins, retinoic acid, vitamin D3, reservatrol, genistein and daidzein, epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), and curcumin (Gerhauser, 2013; Stefanska et al., 2012).”

    From Influence of Metabolism on Epigenetics and Disease (2013) · cites this paper as Stefanska et al., 2012

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Authors
Stefanska, B., Karlic, H., Varga, F., Fabianowska‐Majewska, K., & Haslberger, A.
Affiliations
  • Hanusch Hospital (AT)
  • Medical University of Lodz (PL)
Venue
British Journal of Pharmacology
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2012-08-22
Volume
167
Issue
2
Pages
279-297
ISSN
  • 0007-1188 (ISSN-L)
  • 1476-5381
OpenAlex
W1753288383
Cited by
200
References
252
Citations by year
2026: 8 · 2025: 11 · 2024: 10 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 16 · 2021: 13 · 2020: 13 · 2019: 22 · 2018: 8 · 2017: 22 · 2016: 18 · 2015: 20 · 2014: 12 · 2013: 13 · 2012: 8
FWCI
1.55
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • British Journal of Pharmacology (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
Uniwersytet Łódzki
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Epigenetics and DNA Methylation
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Nutrition, Genetics, and Disease
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Biochemistry › Phytochemicals and Antioxidant Activities
Keywords
epigenetics, cancer prevention, dietary bioactive compounds, DNA methylation, histone modifications, non-coding RNA, one-carbon metabolism, S-adenosylmethionine, folic acid, resveratrol, sirtuins, histone acetyltransferase, vitamin D, microRNA, cancer therapy
MeSH terms
Antineoplastic Agents, Food Analysis, Humans, Neoplasms, Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic, Epigenesis, Genetic

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