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Targeting PI3K/Akt/mTOR Pathway by Different Flavonoids: A Cancer Chemopreventive Approach

Torki A Zughaibi1,2, Mohd Suhail1,2, Mohammad Tarique3

  • 1King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia.

International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|November 27, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Flavonoids, natural compounds from plants, show promise as complementary cancer treatments. They exhibit anticancer effects by inhibiting the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway, potentially reducing side effects and improving treatment efficacy.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Pharmacology
  • Natural Products Chemistry

Background:

  • Cancer remains a leading global cause of mortality, with current treatments often causing severe side effects and facing challenges like drug resistance and poor tumor accessibility.
  • Novel therapeutic strategies are crucial to enhance treatment efficacy, minimize adverse effects, and improve patient outcomes in oncology.
  • Small dietary molecules, particularly flavonoids from herbal and edible plants, are emerging as potential complementary agents due to their diverse biological activities.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the anticancer properties of flavonoids.
  • To discuss the role of flavonoids in inhibiting the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway.
  • To highlight flavonoids as potential complementary agents in cancer therapy.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies investigating flavonoids and their anticancer mechanisms.
  • Focus on research detailing the inhibition of the Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Protein kinase B/Mammalian target of rapamycin (PI3K/Akt/mTOR) pathway by flavonoids.
  • Synthesis of current knowledge on flavonoid-mediated anticancer effects.

Main Results:

  • Flavonoids possess a wide range of beneficial biological properties, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and potent anticancer activities.
  • Flavonoids demonstrate anticancer effects through the modulation of various intracellular signaling cascades.
  • Specific inhibition of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway by flavonoids has been identified as a key mechanism in their anticancer action.

Conclusions:

  • Flavonoids represent a promising class of natural compounds with significant potential as complementary agents in cancer treatment.
  • Targeting the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway with flavonoids offers a strategy to overcome treatment resistance and reduce side effects.
  • Further research into flavonoids could lead to novel, safer, and more effective cancer therapies.
Keywords:
AktPI3KcancerflavonoidsinhibitorsmTOR

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