190
8.4
Dietary Polyphenols as Anti-cancer Agents
Reactive oxygen (ROS) and nitrogen species are produced during metabolism, and
activities of the immune system and mitochondria. These are kept under check by
detoxification mechanisms (Hansen et al. 2006). Polyphenols have antioxidant as
well as specific biological activity against different types of cancer. These include
phenolics like catechin, procyanidins (B1 & B2), phloridzin, etc. from apples and
apple juices shown to exert anti-cancer activity against cell lines HT-29 (colon) and
MKN45 (stomach); phloretin, quercetin, etc. against Caco-2 (colon); ellagic acid,
quercetin derivatives, kaemferol 3- glucoside, cyanidin 3-glucoside, pelargonidin
3- glucoside, etc. from black berry against HL-60 (leukemia) and A549 (lung); tannic acid from black sesame against HT 29 (colon), and other phenolic derivatives
active against a wide range of cell lines. Extracts of bean, cocoa, coffee, grape
seeds, onion, honey, olive oil, and potato also show anti-proliferative activity against
several cell lines (Roleira et al. 2015).
Massi et al. (2012) in their review stressed upon the importance of cannabidiol
(CBD) in modulating the stages of tumourigenesis in several types of cancer and the
need to look into CBD/CBD analogues as alternative therapeutic agents. Manju
Sharma et al. (2014) described the use of non-tetrahydrocannabinol plant cannabinoids with no psychotropic effects for the management of prostate cancer.
Resveratrol (3,5,4′-trihydroxystilbene) is a phytoalexin, the active principle found
in red wine and grape skins. It is found in compound formulations like Triphala
ghrita, Khadirarista, Madhusnuhi rasayana, Maha triphaladya ghrita, and
Panchatikta guggulu ghrita and indicated in the ayurvedic texts for management of
cancer/tumour. Aluyen et al. (2012) found that resveratrol’s chemoprotective effect
is dose and duration dependent. They also report synergistic activity of resveratrol
with other cancer drugs. Tsubura et al. (2011) reported the inhibitory activity of
garlic and its derivatives on breast cancer cell lines and the increased efficiency of
oil-soluble fraction containing diallyl disulfide . Curcumin and resveratrol showed
a synergistic cancer effect on colon/colorectal cancer (Majumdar et al. 2009; Patel
et al. 2010). Du et al. (2013) suggested the combination treatment of these to be a
promising novel anti-cancer strategy against liver cancer. Mangal et al. (2013) have
developed a database, Naturally Occurring Plant-based Anti-cancer CompoundActivity- Target (NPACT, http://crdd.osdd.net/raghava/npact/), with 1574 compounds that provides information on plant-based anti-cancer compounds, accessed
by key word search and other advanced options. Vetrivel et al. (2009) developed
another database for compounds from Indian Plants (InPACdb), providing details
on the type and target of the cancer, 3D image, etc. for each compound. Greenwell
and Rahman (2015) gave an insight into the use of medicinal plant compound formulations like Triphala ghrita, Khadirarista, Madhusnuhi rasayana, Maha triphaladya ghrita, and Panchatikta guggulu ghrita.
Alvaradoin E, and its 10 (R) isomer, alvaradoin F isolated from the leaves of
Alvaradoa haitiensis Urb. (Picramniaceae) was found to be toxic to the KB cell line
by Phifer et al. (2007). Alvaradoins E and F also showed inhibition of KB, LNCaP,
and Col2 cells when administered intraperitonially (Mi et al. 2005).
A. Augustine and G.S. Pillai
8.4
Dietary Polyphenols as Anti-cancer Agents
Reactive oxygen (ROS) and nitrogen species are produced during metabolism, and
activities of the immune system and mitochondria. These are kept under check by
detoxification mechanisms (Hansen et al. 2006). Polyphenols have antioxidant as
well as specific biological activity against different types of cancer. These include
phenolics like catechin, procyanidins (B1 & B2), phloridzin, etc. from apples and
apple juices shown to exert anti-cancer activity against cell lines HT-29 (colon) and
MKN45 (stomach); phloretin, quercetin, etc. against Caco-2 (colon); ellagic acid,
quercetin derivatives, kaemferol 3- glucoside, cyanidin 3-glucoside, pelargonidin
3- glucoside, etc. from black berry against HL-60 (leukemia) and A549 (lung); tannic acid from black sesame against HT 29 (colon), and other phenolic derivatives
active against a wide range of cell lines. Extracts of bean, cocoa, coffee, grape
seeds, onion, honey, olive oil, and potato also show anti-proliferative activity against
several cell lines (Roleira et al. 2015).
Massi et al. (2012) in their review stressed upon the importance of cannabidiol
(CBD) in modulating the stages of tumourigenesis in several types of cancer and the
need to look into CBD/CBD analogues as alternative therapeutic agents. Manju
Sharma et al. (2014) described the use of non-tetrahydrocannabinol plant cannabinoids with no psychotropic effects for the management of prostate cancer.
Resveratrol (3,5,4′-trihydroxystilbene) is a phytoalexin, the active principle found
in red wine and grape skins. It is found in compound formulations like Triphala
ghrita, Khadirarista, Madhusnuhi rasayana, Maha triphaladya ghrita, and
Panchatikta guggulu ghrita and indicated in the ayurvedic texts for management of
cancer/tumour. Aluyen et al. (2012) found that resveratrol’s chemoprotective effect
is dose and duration dependent. They also report synergistic activity of resveratrol
with other cancer drugs. Tsubura et al. (2011) reported the inhibitory activity of
garlic and its derivatives on breast cancer cell lines and the increased efficiency of
oil-soluble fraction containing diallyl disulfide . Curcumin and resveratrol showed
a synergistic cancer effect on colon/colorectal cancer (Majumdar et al. 2009; Patel
et al. 2010). Du et al. (2013) suggested the combination treatment of these to be a
promising novel anti-cancer strategy against liver cancer. Mangal et al. (2013) have
developed a database, Naturally Occurring Plant-based Anti-cancer CompoundActivity- Target (NPACT, http://crdd.osdd.net/raghava/npact/), with 1574 compounds that provides information on plant-based anti-cancer compounds, accessed
by key word search and other advanced options. Vetrivel et al. (2009) developed
another database for compounds from Indian Plants (InPACdb), providing details
on the type and target of the cancer, 3D image, etc. for each compound. Greenwell
and Rahman (2015) gave an insight into the use of medicinal plant compound formulations like Triphala ghrita, Khadirarista, Madhusnuhi rasayana, Maha triphaladya ghrita, and Panchatikta guggulu ghrita.
Alvaradoin E, and its 10 (R) isomer, alvaradoin F isolated from the leaves of
Alvaradoa haitiensis Urb. (Picramniaceae) was found to be toxic to the KB cell line
by Phifer et al. (2007). Alvaradoins E and F also showed inhibition of KB, LNCaP,
and Col2 cells when administered intraperitonially (Mi et al. 2005).
A. Augustine and G.S. Pillai