Natural polyphenols in cancer therapy
Abstract
Natural polyphenols are secondary metabolites of plants involved in defense against different types of stress. Extracts containing these compounds have been used for thousands of years in traditional eastern medicine. Polyphenols act on multiple targets in pathways and mechanisms related to carcinogenesis, tumor cell proliferation and death, inflammation, metastatic spread, angiogenesis, or drug and radiation resistance. Nevertheless, reported effects claimed for polyphenols are controversial, since correlations between in vitro effects and in vivo evidence are poorly established. The main discrepancy between health claims versus clinical observations is the frequent use of nonphysiologically relevant concentrations of these compounds and their metabolites in efficacy and mechanistic studies. The present review will discuss how in vivo administration correlates with polyphenol metabolism, toxicity, and bioavailability. Analysis of the general application of polyphenols in cancer therapy will be complemented by potential applications in the therapy of specific tumors, including melanoma, colorectal and lung cancers. Possible pharmaceutical formulations, structural modifications, combinations, and delivery systems aimed to increase bioavailability and/or biological effects will be discussed. Final remarks will include recommendations for future research and developments.
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- Authors
- Asensi, M., Ortega, A., Mena, S., Feddi, F., & Estrela, J. M.
- Affiliations
- Universitat de València (ES)
- Corresponding author
- Estrela, José M.
- Venue
- Critical Reviews in Clinical Laboratory Sciences
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2011-12
- Volume
- 48
- Issue
- 5-6
- Pages
- 197-216
- ISSN
- 1040-8363 (ISSN-L)
- 1549-781X
- OpenAlex
- W2130739077
- Cited by
- 174
- References
- 8
- Citations by year
- 2026: 5 · 2025: 12 · 2024: 11 · 2023: 9 · 2022: 16 · 2021: 17 · 2020: 20 · 2019: 14 · 2018: 13 · 2017: 11 · 2016: 10 · 2015: 8 · 2014: 7 · 2013: 14 · 2012: 7
- FWCI
- 0.88
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Critical Reviews in Clinical Laboratory Sciences (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Biochemistry › Phytochemicals and Antioxidant Activities
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Plant Science › Medicinal Plant Research
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Flavonoids in Medical Research
- Keywords
- natural polyphenols, cancer therapy, plant secondary metabolites, carcinogenesis, tumor cell proliferation, metastasis, angiogenesis, drug resistance, radioresistance (biology), inflammation, polyphenol metabolism, bioavailability, toxicity, traditional medicine, melanoma, colorectal cancer, lung cancer, drug formulation, drug delivery systems
- MeSH terms
- Animals, Animals, Laboratory, Biological Availability, Biotransformation, Humans, Lung Neoplasms, Medicine, Traditional, Melanoma, Neoplasms, Plant Extracts, Plants, Medicinal, Skin Neoplasms, Colorectal Neoplasms, Molecular Structure, Toxicity Tests, Polyphenols
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