Role of Antioxidants in Cancer Therapy and Chemoprevention
Page: 1-9 (9)
Author: P. Revathi* and K. Nirubama
DOI: 10.2174/9789815238549124010003
PDF Price: $15
Abstract
Malignant diseases have been highlighted as one of the most prominent
causes of human mortality worldwide. The prevalence of cancer is constantly
increasing and is expected to reach three-fourths of the population in the next two
decades. Conventional cancer treatment involves surgery, controlling and reducing the
growth of cancer tissues using radiation, and chemotherapy. Many incidences prove
that chemical treatment for cancer is immensely associated with the recurrence of
cancer, and the development of resistance, and is prone to severe side effects. Since
natural products have now been used in the treatment of various diseases, the
anticancer properties of natural drugs and druggable products are interceded by various
mechanisms, including the initiation of programmed cell death, modulations in the
immune system, and inhibition of angiogenesis. Edible, medicinal plants and spices
used in traditional medicine to regulate vital molecular targets are important chemopreventive agents in the treatment of chemo and radiation therapy-induced toxicities in
drug development. Natural agents could trigger cell death signalling pathways in
tumour cells by stimulating anti-apoptotic proteins and/or overcoming pro-apoptotic
proteins and caspases. It inhibit protein kinase B (Akt), phosphatidylinositide 3-kinases
(PI3K), epidermal growth factor receptor/mitogen-activated protein kinase
(EGFR/MAPK), as well as nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B
cells (NF-κB). Bax/Bcl-2 ratio changes, inhibiting cellular proliferation, and
differentiation, and also activating apoptosis lead to less prominence. To summarize,
this chapter highlights the current status, and forthcoming prospects of cancer treatment
and prevention as well as the potential of bioactive compounds that have been used in
cancer treatment and chemoprevention.
Medicinal Plants and Cancer Chemoprevention
Page: 10-21 (12)
Author: J. Jothika, J. Mohana Priya, G. Rajapandeeswari and M. Kalaimathi*
DOI: 10.2174/9789815238549124010004
PDF Price: $15
Abstract
Cancer is identified as the second-most deadly disease all over the world.
Various advancements have been made in the treatment of cancer to protect the life of
human beings. However, the side effects may destroy the lives of the patients.
Economically poor patients cannot afford the treatment, and they live short lives with
cancer. So nowadays, research is going on to search for drugs without any side effects
and that are cheap with good efficacy. Some medicinal plants have a lot of potential to
act as anticancer agents but are not medically proven as discussed in this chapter. This
review will focus on the various plant-derived chemical compounds that have shown
anticancer activity.
Bioactive Compounds Derived from Marine Sources for Cancer Therapy and Chemoprevention
Page: 22-34 (13)
Author: Ramasamy Indumathy*, Thangavel Sathiya Kamatchi and Giriraj Kalaiarasi
DOI: 10.2174/9789815238549124010005
PDF Price: $15
Abstract
The relatively unexplored marine environment is a rich resource of novel
bioactive candidates that may be beneficial for human beings. Since the marine
environment is complex in nature, living organisms produce secondary metabolites
with unique biological properties that could find applications in health care systems.
This chapter gives an overview of marine-based anticancer drugs that are FDAapproved and bioactive components that are under preclinical and clinical trials. It also
provides insight into marine-based nutraceuticals, their sources, and their usefulness for
various human health concerns. Therefore, exploring the marine environment through
collaborative research work both by academia and industries could lead to significant
contributions to humanity.
Bioactive Compounds in Cancer Therapy and Chemoprevention
Page: 35-75 (41)
Author: Chenicheri Kizhakkeveettil Keerthana, Tennyson Prakash Rayginia, Sreekumar Usha Devi Aiswarya, Sadiq Chembothumparambil Shifana and Ruby John Anto*
DOI: 10.2174/9789815238549124010006
PDF Price: $15
Abstract
The continuous increase in the number of cancer cases and rates of
cancer-related mortality globally is a highly concerning issue. Drug-induced toxicity,
drastic side effects and chemoresistance associated with conventional
chemotherapeutics warrant the need for novel, efficient, and safer alternative
therapeutic approaches to help combat cancer. Plants are a rich source of bioactive
compounds with potential anti-cancer activity. Extensive research on the
chemotherapeutic efficacy of various plant-derived bioactive compounds is being
carried out across the world. While cancer chemoprevention approaches prevent, delay,
or suppress tumor incidence, chemosensitization approaches employ synthetic or
natural bioactive agents to enhance the efficacy of conventional chemotherapeutic
drugs at lower doses. Numerous studies have documented the efficiency of both of
these approaches in managing different types of cancer. The scope of this chapter
encompasses a comprehensive analysis of the current status and limitations of
conventional chemotherapeutics and the clinical relevance of chemoprevention and
chemosensitization strategies for the effective management of cancer, with a special
emphasis on the potency of some of the major phytochemicals that are extensively
being studied as novel chemopreventives and/or chemosensitizers, globally. Besides,
an overview of the underlying mechanisms of action of these phytochemicals in
regulating the signal transduction events associated with cancer progression, has also
been discussed in this chapter.
Antioxidant-Oxidative Stress Balance in Chemoprevention of Cancer
Page: 76-102 (27)
Author: Jameema Sidhic, Aparna Prasad, Arunaksharan Narayanankutty*, Satheesh George and Blassan George
DOI: 10.2174/9789815238549124010007
PDF Price: $15
Abstract
Every year, millions of individuals are diagnosed with cancer, making it one
of the primary causes of mortality worldwide. It is estimated that around 10 million
cancer-related deaths will occur, emphasizing the enormity of the impact of this disease
on individuals and society as a whole. There are a multitude of side effects associated
with anticancer drugs, and each drug, regardless of its class, has its unique set of
adverse reactions. The overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and
consequent accumulation of oxidative stress are significant contributors to adverse
reactions, particularly for medications directed towards DNA. This issue has prompted
the exploration of various dietary supplements to mitigate these unwanted side effects.
Among these supplements, antioxidants have become increasingly prevalent as a
chemotherapy adjuvant. Nevertheless, many cancer specialists discourage the
consumption of antioxidant-rich supplements, as they have the potential to interfere
with cancer-killing modalities that generate free radicals. There is ongoing debate
regarding whether the use of antioxidant supplements impacts the effectiveness of
cancer chemotherapy. Specific antioxidant supplements may lessen toxicities and bad
effects, according to limited evidence that is both high quality and sample size. In this
chapter, details of the role of antioxidants in cancer therapy and chemoprevention are
discussed.
Inhibition of Nitric Oxide and Free Radical Production by Leaf and Stem Extracts of Psychotria nilgiriensis
Page: 103-119 (17)
Author: Parimelazhagan Thangaraj*, Pezzuto M. John, Tamara P. Kondratyuk, Eun-Jung Park, Murugan Rajan and Simeon O. Kotchoni
DOI: 10.2174/9789815238549124010008
PDF Price: $15
Abstract
Psychotria nilgiriensis was used in traditional medicine as to cure chronic
inflammatory diseases. Therefore, the evaluation of different combination of solventbased fractions from stem and leaves of P. nilgiriensis for free radical scavenging
activity, inhibitory potential against nitric oxide radicals, and tentative identification of
active metabolites were carried out. The antioxidant activity of solvent extracts was
determined by DPPH·
scavenging, TAC, and ORAC assays using spectrophotometer
analysis. Further, nitric oxide production inhibition was studied in lipopolysaccharide
(LPS)-activated macrophages RAW 264.7 cells. Fraction-based bioactive chemical
compound identification was performed using an LC-MS metabolomics approach.
With each of the assays, activity was observed with various extracts derived from both
the stem and the leaf. The two active extracts, one obtained with Psychotria nilgiriensis
leaf ethyl acetate: methanol (PLEM, 40/60 v/v), and another one obtained with P.
nilgiriensis stem chloroform: ethyl acetate (PSCE, 70/30 v/v), about 10-15% of the
chemical components were identified. With PLEM, N,N-bis(2-ethylhexyl)hydroxylamine was higher in concentration, whereas PSCE, N,N-dioctylhydroxylamine was
higher in concentration compared to other metabolites. Thus, the present findings
suggest that the P. nilgiriensis leaf and stem could have medicinal value as an
antioxidant for the treatment of inflammatory diseases. Some of the chemical
constituents such as hydroxylamine derivatives could also be of value.
Plant-Derived Compounds for Chemoprevention and Chemotherapy: From Molecular Mechanisms to Clinical Trials
Page: 120-155 (36)
Author: Niharika Sharma, Vandana Varma and Sandhya Verma*
DOI: 10.2174/9789815238549124010009
PDF Price: $15
Abstract
Cancer is still a disease that many people fear. Cancer patients frequently
have side effects from chemo- and radiotherapy that lower their quality of life and may
force them to stop receiving their treatment. For centuries, people have employed
natural products, particularly plants, to heal a wide range of illnesses. Powerful
bioactive compounds that are produced from plants can be employed as medications.
The uniqueness and potency of anticancer therapeutic medicines originating from
plants are now being explored in research studies. Using sophisticated analytical
techniques, the healthcare industry is attempting to comprehend the physio-chemical
characteristics of these plant derived compounds and their contributions to the
treatment of cancer. Some of these compounds are thought to be candidates for use as
chemopreventive medicines and may even be combined with traditional chemotherapy
in certain circumstances. The purpose of this book chapter is to highlight important
plant derived compounds, their properties, mechanism of action and ongoing clinical
trials for cancer prevention and treatment. The suitability and lethality of medicinal and
herbal plants are a subject of considerable debate despite their many powerful benefits.
Here, we discuss advantages, limitations and current status of recruiting plant derived
compounds as chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic drugs.
Medicinal Plants and Cancer Therapy and Chemoprevention
Page: 156-167 (12)
Author: Giriraj Kalaiarasi*, Thangavel Sathiya Kamatchi and S. Parveen
DOI: 10.2174/9789815238549124010010
PDF Price: $15
Abstract
Cancer is still the second-leading cause of death in industrialized countries.
The development of resistance to anticancer drugs and the severe side effects of current
drugs prevent treatment with drug doses high enough for long-lasting remissions or
sustainable cures. There have been unprecedented efforts to uncover new treatments
and the knowledge of cancer has been tremendously increasing for the past few
decades. Medicinal plants are a fertile ground to be used as phytotherapy and to isolate
phytochemicals with interesting pharmacological features. Medicinal plants are being
increasingly documented as useful consistent treatments for cancer. A large volume of
clinical studies have reported the beneficial effects of herbal medicines on the survival,
immune modulation, and quality of life (QOL) of cancer patients when these herbal
medicines are used in combination with conventional therapeutics. This book chapter
should provide useful technological support for the evidence-based application of
herbal medicines in cancer therapy. Natural products have always been a major source
of drug development in cancer therapy.
Introduction
This book aims to fill research gaps in the search for chemotherapeutic and chemopreventive natural compounds. It includes a collection of detailed reviews focusing on bioactive compounds from plant sources that can be beneficial for cancer therapy. Topics covered include the role of antioxidants in cancer therapy, medicinal plants for cancer chemotherapeutics, bioactive compounds from marine plants, and a review of inhibiting nitric oxide reactions for preventing cancer. Chapters are contributed by researchers who have provided detailed lists and descriptions of the relevant plant sources, the compounds and the biochemical reactions. The book includes references for advanced reading. This book is intended as a reference for scholars and healthcare professionals studying natural medicines for cancer prevention and treatment.