Flavonoids, Breast Cancer Chemopreventive and/or Chemotherapeutic Agents

Curr Med Chem. 2015;22(30):3434-46.

Abstract

Flavonoids are secondary metabolites abundantly present in commonly consumed fruits and vegetables. They possess diverse properties such as anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and anti-cancer. Epidemiologic studies suggest that an enrich flavonoids diet is linked to a decreased risk of breast cancer. These protective properties are due to the alteration of numerous signalling pathways involved in cancer-related phenomena such as inflammation and proliferation. Human clinical trials examining the effect of supplementation of some flavonoids on disease prevention have been conducted. There is no natural flavonoid that has been approved for the treatment of breast cancer. However, natural flavonoids served as lead compounds in the synthesis of cancer chemopreventive and/or therapeutic agents.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anticarcinogenic Agents / pharmacology
  • Anticarcinogenic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Breast Neoplasms / prevention & control
  • Female
  • Flavonoids / chemistry
  • Flavonoids / classification
  • Flavonoids / pharmacology
  • Flavonoids / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Molecular Structure

Substances

  • Anticarcinogenic Agents
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Flavonoids