Luteolin, a bioflavonoid inhibits colorectal cancer through modulation of multiple signaling pathways: a review

Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2014;15(14):5501-8. doi: 10.7314/apjcp.2014.15.14.5501.

Abstract

Luteolin, 3', 4', 5,7-tetrahydroxyflavone, belongs to a group of naturally occurring compounds called flavonoids that are found widely in the plant kingdom. It possesses many beneficial properties including antioxidant, anti- inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-diabetic and anti-proliferative actions. Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of cancer related deaths worldwide. Many signaling pathways are deregulated during the progression of colon cancer. In this review we aimed to analyze the protection offered by luteolin on colon cancer. During colon cancer genesis, luteolin known to reduce oxidative stress thereby protects the cell to undergo damage in vivo. Wnt/β-catenin signaling, deregulated during neoplastic development, is modified by luteolin. Hence, luteolin can be considered as a potential drug to treat CRC.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology*
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Chemoprevention
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / prevention & control
  • Humans
  • Luteolin / pharmacology*
  • NF-E2-Related Factor 2
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II / biosynthesis
  • Oxidative Stress / drug effects
  • Precancerous Conditions / drug therapy
  • Wnt Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Wnt Signaling Pathway / drug effects*
  • beta Catenin / biosynthesis

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Antioxidants
  • NF-E2-Related Factor 2
  • NFE2L2 protein, human
  • Wnt Proteins
  • beta Catenin
  • NOS2 protein, human
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II
  • Luteolin