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Extraction and Purification of Polyphenols from Freeze-dried Berry Powder for the Treatment of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells In Vitro
Published on: July 5, 2017
Inhibition of carcinogenesis by polyphenols: evidence from laboratory investigations
Joshua D Lambert1, Jungil Hong, Guang-Yu Yang
1Department of Chemical Biology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA.
Abstract:
Many plant polyphenolic compounds have been shown to have cancer-preventing activities in laboratory studies. For example, tea and tea preparations have been shown to inhibit tumorigenesis in a variety of animal models of carcinogenesis, involving organ sites such as the skin, lungs, oral cavity, esophagus, stomach, liver, pancreas, small intestine, colon, and prostate. In some of these models, inhibitory activity was demonstrated when tea was administered during the initiation, promotion, or progression stage of carcinogenesis. The cancer-preventing activities of these and other polyphenols, such as curcumin, genistein, and quercetin, are reviewed. In studies in vitro, many of these compounds have been shown to affect signal transduction pathways, leading to inhibition of cell growth and transformation, enhanced apoptosis, reduced invasive behavior, and slowed angiogenesis. However, the concentrations used in cell culture studies were much higher than those found in vivo. If we propose mechanisms for cancer prevention on the basis of cell line experiments, then these activities must be demonstrated in vivo. The bioavailability, ie, tissue and cellular concentrations, of dietary polyphenols is a determining factor in their cancer-preventing activity in vivo. For example, compounds such as curcumin are effective when applied topically to the skin or administered orally to affect the colon but are not effective in internal organs such as the lungs. More in-depth studies on bioavailability should facilitate correlation of mechanisms determined in vitro with in vivo situations, increase our understanding of dose-response relationships, and facilitate extrapolation of results from animal studies to human situations.
Insights
Plant polyphenols like tea show cancer-preventing potential in lab studies. Their effectiveness in the body depends on bioavailability, requiring further research to link lab findings to human health.
Area of Science:
- Nutritional Science
- Cancer Research
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Plant-derived polyphenols exhibit significant cancer-preventing activities in laboratory settings.
- Tea and other polyphenols (curcumin, genistein, quercetin) have demonstrated inhibition of tumorigenesis across various animal models.
- These compounds can influence key cellular processes, including cell growth, apoptosis, and angiogenesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the cancer-preventing activities of dietary polyphenols.
- To examine the mechanisms of action for these compounds, particularly in in vitro studies.
- To highlight the critical role of bioavailability in determining in vivo efficacy and translating findings to human health.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on polyphenol anticancer activities.
- Analysis of in vitro studies examining cellular signaling pathways.
- Evaluation of in vivo studies focusing on bioavailability and organ-specific effects.
Main Results:
- Polyphenols demonstrate diverse anticancer effects in vitro, impacting cell signaling, growth, apoptosis, invasion, and angiogenesis.
- In vivo efficacy varies significantly based on polyphenol bioavailability and administration route (e.g., curcumin's topical vs. systemic effects).
- Concentrations effective in vitro are often not achievable in vivo, necessitating careful interpretation.
Conclusions:
- Dietary polyphenols possess promising cancer-preventing properties, but their therapeutic application is constrained by bioavailability.
- Further research into polyphenol bioavailability is essential to correlate in vitro mechanisms with in vivo activity.
- Understanding dose-response relationships and improving bioavailability studies will facilitate the extrapolation of animal findings to human cancer prevention strategies.
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