Colon cancer is a world-wide health problem and the second-most dangerous type of cancer, affecting both men and women. The modern diet and lifestyles, with high meat consumption and excessive alcohol use, along with limited physical activity has led to an increasing mortality rate for colon cancer worldwide. As a result, there is a need to develop novel and environmentally benign drug therapies for colon cancer. Currently, nutraceuticals play an increasingly important role in the treatment of various chronic diseases such as colon cancer, diabetes and Alzheimer׳s disease. Nutraceuticals are derived from various natural sources such as medicinal plants, marine organisms, vegetables and fruits. Nutraceuticals have shown the potential to reduce the risk of colon cancer and slow its progression. These dietary substances target different molecular aspects of colon cancer development. Accordingly, this review briefly discusses the medicinal importance of nutraceuticals and their ability to reduce the risk of colorectal carcinogenesis.
Keywords: 5-FU, 5-fluorouracil; ACC, acetyl CoA carboxylase; ACF, aberrant crypt foci; ACL, ATP-citrate lyase; ASTX, astaxanthin; COX-2, cyclooxygenase 2; Colon cancer; DHA, decahexaenoic acid; DMH, 1,2-dimethylhydrazine; DR, death receptor; EGCG, epigallocatechingallate; EPA, eicosapentaenoic acid; FAS, fatty acid synthase; GADD, growth arrest and DNA damage; HMG-CoA, 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl CoA; HUVEC, human umbilical vein endothelial cell; IGF, insulin-like growth factor; IL, interleukin; LDH, lactate dehydrogenase; MMP, matrix metallo-proteins; Marine organisms; NF-κB, nuclear factor-kappa B; Nutraceuticals; PRAP, prolactin receptor associated protein; Plant derivatives; TCA, tricarboxylic acid cycle; TNF, tumor necrosis factor; TRAIL, tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-induced ligand; Therapeutics; VEGF, vascular endothelial growth factor.