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Therapeutic potential of flavonoids in cancer: ROS-mediated mechanisms.

Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, American University of Beirut, P.O. Box 11-0236, Beirut, Lebanon. Electronic address: hgs09@mail.aub.edu. Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, American University of Beirut, P.O. Box 11-0236, Beirut, Lebanon. Electronic address: hym09@mail.aub.edu. Department of Biology, American University of Beirut, P.O. Box 11-0236, Beirut, Lebanon. Electronic address: nww04@mail.aub.edu. Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Beirut Arab University, P.O. Box 11-5020, Beirut, Lebanon. Electronic address: san413@bau.edu.lb. Department of Biology, College of Science, United Arab Emirates University, P.O. Box 15551, Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates. Electronic address: r_iratni@uaeu.ac.ae. Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Qatar University, P.O. Box: 2713, Doha, Qatar. Electronic address: gheyath.nasrallah@qu.edu.qa. Biomedical Research Center, Qatar University, P.O. Box: 2713, Doha, Qatar. Electronic address: abdhsiato@qu.edu.qa. Department of Chemistry, American University of Beirut, P.O. Box 11-0236, Beirut, Lebanon. Electronic address: tg02@aub.edu.lb. Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, American University of Beirut, P.O. Box: 11-0236, Beirut, Lebanon. Electronic address: firasko@gmail.com. Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, P.O. Box 2713, Doha, Qatar; Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Research Unit, QU Health, Qatar University, P.O. Box 2713, Doha, Qatar. Electronic address: ali.eid@qu.edu.qa.

Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie. 2022;:112442
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Abstract

Cancer is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality around the globe. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play contradicting roles in cancer incidence and progression. Antioxidants have attracted attention as emerging therapeutic agents. Among these are flavonoids, which are natural polyphenols with established anticancer and antioxidant capacities. Increasing evidence shows that flavonoids can inhibit carcinogenesis via suppressing ROS levels. Surprisingly, flavonoids can also trigger excessive oxidative stress, but this can also induce death of malignant cells. In this review, we explore the inherent characteristics that contribute to the antioxidant capacity of flavonoids, and we dissect the scenarios in which they play the contrasting role as pro-oxidants. Furthermore, we elaborate on the pathways that link flavonoid-mediated modulation of ROS to the prevention and treatment of cancer. Special attention is given to the ROS-mediated anticancer functions that (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), hesperetin, naringenin, quercetin, luteolin, and apigenin evoke in various cancers. We also delve into the structure-function relations that make flavonoids potent antioxidants. This review provides a detailed perspective that can be utilized in future experiments or trials that aim at utilizing flavonoids or verifying their efficacy for developing new pharmacologic agents. We support the argument that flavonoids are attractive candidates for cancer therapy.

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Publication Type : Review

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