Dietary flavonoids as cancer prevention agents

J Environ Sci Health C Environ Carcinog Ecotoxicol Rev. 2011;29(1):1-31. doi: 10.1080/10590501.2011.551317.

Abstract

Dietary agents identified from fruits and vegetables contribute to keeping balanced cell proliferation and preventing cell carcinogenesis. Dietary flavonoids, combined with other components such as various vitamins, play an important role in cancer prevention. Flavonoids act on reactive oxygen species, cell signal transduction pathways related to cellular proliferation, apoptosis, and angiogenesis. Many studies demonstrate that flavonoids are responsible for chemoprevention, although mechanisms of action remain to be investigated. Overall, exciting data show that dietary flavonoids could be considered as a useful cancer preventive approach. This review summarizes recent advancements on potential cancer preventive effects and mechanic insight of dietary flavonoids.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Anticarcinogenic Agents / administration & dosage
  • Anticarcinogenic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Catechin / administration & dosage
  • Catechin / analogs & derivatives
  • Catechin / pharmacology
  • Cell Cycle / drug effects
  • Curcumin / administration & dosage
  • Curcumin / pharmacology
  • Diet
  • Flavonoids / administration & dosage
  • Flavonoids / pharmacology*
  • Food
  • Humans
  • Isothiocyanates / administration & dosage
  • Isothiocyanates / pharmacology
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / prevention & control
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects

Substances

  • Anticarcinogenic Agents
  • Flavonoids
  • Isothiocyanates
  • Catechin
  • epigallocatechin gallate
  • Curcumin