Nano-engineered flavonoids for cancer protection

Front Biosci (Landmark Ed). 2019 Mar 1;24(6):1097-1157. doi: 10.2741/4771.

Abstract

Diet and environment are two critical regulators that influence an individual's epigenetic profile. Besides the anterograde signaling, mitochondria act as a key regulator of epigenetic alterations in cancer either by controlling the concentration of the cofactors, activity of vital enzymes or by affecting the transcription of NF-kappaB and associated signaling molecules. As epigenetic modifications are the major drivers of aberrant gene expression, designing novel nutri-epigenomic strategies to modulate reversible epigenetic modifications will be important for effective cancer protection. In this regard, nutraceuticals such as flavonoids holds significant promise to modulate the epigenome through a network of interconnected anti-redox mechanisms. However, low solubility, rapid metabolism and poor absorption of flavonoids in gastrointestinal tract hinder their use in clinical settings. Therefore, it is imperative to develop nano-engineered systems which could considerably improve the targeted delivery of these bioactive compounds with better efficacy and pharmacokinetic properties. Concerted efforts in nano-engineering of flavonoids using polymer, lipid and complexation based approaches could provide successful bench-to-bedside translation of flavonoids as broad spectrum anti-cancer agents.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Acetylation
  • Animals
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cytosine / chemistry
  • DNA Methylation
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Drug Delivery Systems
  • Epigenesis, Genetic
  • Epigenomics
  • Flavonoids / chemistry*
  • Histones / chemistry
  • Humans
  • Lipids / chemistry
  • Liposomes / chemistry
  • Micelles
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism
  • Mitochondria / metabolism
  • Nanomedicine / methods*
  • Nanoparticles
  • Neoplasms / prevention & control*
  • Phosphorylation
  • Polymers / chemistry
  • Ubiquitin / chemistry

Substances

  • Flavonoids
  • Histones
  • Lipids
  • Liposomes
  • Micelles
  • MicroRNAs
  • Polymers
  • Ubiquitin
  • Cytosine