HomeDiseaseA review of biologically active flavonoids as inducers of autophagy and apoptosis in neoplastic cells and as cytoprotective agents in non-neoplastic cells

A review of biologically active flavonoids as inducers of autophagy and apoptosis in neoplastic cells and as cytoprotective agents in non-neoplastic cells

August 20, 2022

Cell Biol Int. 2022 May 11. doi: 10.1002/cbin.11813. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Phytochemicals are a diverse group of compounds found in various fruits, vegetables, nuts, and legumes. Many phytochemicals have been observed to possess health benefits. Some have been found to be chemoprotective or can act as chemotherapeutics by inducing autophagy, apoptosis, or otherwise regulating the cell cycle. Many also act as potent antioxidants. Flavonoids are a subclass of bioactive phytochemicals consisting of two phenolic benzene rings, joined together by a heterocyclic pyran or pyrone. It has been observed in multiple studies that there is a correlation between diets rich in flavonoids and a reduction in cancer levels, heart disease, neurodegenerative diseases, and other pathologies. As foods containing flavonoids are widely consumed, and their mechanisms of action are still only partially understood, this review was compiled to compare the effects and mechanisms of action of some of the most widely characterized and publicized flavonoids. The flavonoids silibinin, quercetin, isorhamnetin, luteolin, curcumin genkwanin, and acacetin, together with flavonoid extracts from papaw and Tephroseris kirilowii (Turcz) Holub, a member of the Daisy family, were found to be potent regulators of the cell cycle. The decision to overview these specific flavonoids was based on their therapeutic effects, and/or their potential effects. The sparsity of data comparing these flavonoids was also a key consideration. These flavonoids all modulated to some extent the pathways of autophagy and/or apoptosis and regulated the cell cycle, inflammation, and free radical levels. This explains why they are protective of healthy or moderately damaged cells, but toxic to neoplastic or pre-cancerous cells.

PMID:35544782 | DOI:10.1002/cbin.11813

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About The Author

Patrick Blanchard MD

Meet Dr. Blanchard Dr. Blanchard’s medical practice is an embodiment of Integrative health which brings conventional and complementary approaches together in a coordinated way. Conveniently located in sunny Florida and over the internet with ValiseMD’s secure HIPPA compliant telXmed servers. Since 1994, patients with a wide range of challenging medical problems have achieved optimum health using the best of natural medicine, judiciously combined with high-tech innovations. Breakthroughs are often achieved even after patients have consulted mainstream specialists and holistic practitioners. Dr. Blanchard is founder and CEO of ValiseMD, Inc. He is board certified in Family Medicine since 1994 and awarded Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians in 2001. He received the ‘Teacher of the Year’ award from the University of Kansas School of Medicine at completion of his residency in Family Medicine. He completed a fellowship at Wake Forest University in the field of vascular neurosonology. He holds a medical patent in the field of Gastroenterology. He holds an unrestricted license to practice medicine and surgery in Florida. He started his medical career as a Emergency Medical Technician, then as a Paramedic and later a Medical Doctor.