The Involvement of Natural Polyphenols in Molecular Mechanisms Inducing Apoptosis in Tumor Cells: A Promising Adjuvant in Cancer Therapy

Various literature data show how a diet rich in vegetables could reduce the incidence of several cancers due to the contribution of the natural polyphenols contained in them. Polyphenols are attributed multiple pharmacological actions such as anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, antibiotic, antiseptic, anti-allergic, cardioprotective and even anti-tumor properties. The multiple mechanisms involved in their anti-tumor action include signaling pathways modulation associated with cell proliferation, differentiation, migration, angiogenesis, metastasis and cell death. Since the dysregulation of death processes is involved in cancer etiopathology, the natural compounds able to kill cancer cells could be used as new anticancer agents. Apoptosis, a programmed form of cell death, is the most potent defense against cancer and the main mechanism used by both chemotherapy agents and polyphenols. The aim of this review is to provide an update of literature data on the apoptotic molecular mechanisms induced by some representative polyphenol family members in cancer cells. This aspect is particularly important because it may be useful in the design of new therapeutic strategies against cancer involving the polyphenols as adjuvants.

Automated summary

Various literature data suggest that a diet rich in vegetables can reduce the incidence of cancer by utilizing the natural polyphenols present in them. Polyphenols possess various pharmacological actions such as anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, antibiotic, antiseptic, anti-allergic, cardioprotective, and even anti-tumor properties. The anti-tumor action of polyphenols involves multiple mechanisms associated with cell proliferation, differentiation, migration, angiogenesis, metastasis, and cell death. This review aims to provide an updated understanding of the apoptotic molecular mechanisms induced by representative polyphenols in cancer cells, which can be utilized in the development of new therapeutic strategies against cancer involving polyphenols as adjuvants.