The ginseng family,including Panax ginseng(Asian ginseng),Panax quinquefolius(American ginseng),and Panax notoginseng(notoginseng),is commonly used herbal medicine.White ginseng is prepared by air-drying after harvest...The ginseng family,including Panax ginseng(Asian ginseng),Panax quinquefolius(American ginseng),and Panax notoginseng(notoginseng),is commonly used herbal medicine.White ginseng is prepared by air-drying after harvest,while red ginseng is prepared by a steaming or heating process.The anticancer activity of red ginseng is significantly increased,due to the production of active anticancer ginsenosides during the steaming treatment,compared with that of white ginseng.Thus far,anticancer studies have been mostly focused on Asian ginseng.In this article,we review the research progress made in the anticancer activities of red Asian ginseng,red American ginseng and red notoginseng.The major anticancer mechanisms of red ginseng compounds include cell cycle arrest,induction of apoptosis/paraptosis,and inhibition of angiogenesis.The structure-function relationship analysis has revealed that the protopanaxadiol group ginsenosides have more potent effects than the protopanaxatriol group.Sugar molecules in ginsenosides inversely impact the antiproliferative potential of these compounds.In addition,ginsenoside stereoselectivity and double bond position also influence the anticancer activity.Future studies should focus on characterizing active red ginseng derivatives as potential anticancer drugs.展开更多
As cell and tissue homeostasis are mediated by the balance between proliferation and apoptosis, controlling this balance is important for cancer chemoprevention. Cancer chemoprevention can be achieved by the use of na...As cell and tissue homeostasis are mediated by the balance between proliferation and apoptosis, controlling this balance is important for cancer chemoprevention. Cancer chemoprevention can be achieved by the use of natural, synthetic or biologic compounds that reverse, suppress or prevent the development of epithelial malignancies. Natural compounds including flavonoids are able to reduce oxidative stress, which is the most likely mechanism mediating the protective effects against cancer development. In addition, in vitro and in vivo studies have suggested that flavonoids, such as (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallete (EGCG), quercetin, and curcumin, act by induction of apoptosis. Several natural compounds inhibit cell proliferation and angiogenesis. Certain natural products have been shown to inhibit the activation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and Akt signaling pathways, both of which are known to maintain a homeostatic balance between cell survival and apoptosis. Understanding the mechanism of these natural products will contribute to the development of more specific preventive strategies against cancer development. Here we focus on the ability of natural cancer chemopreventive agents to induce apoptosis, and attempt to provide evidence for the preventive and therapeutic effects of natural compounds, EGCG, quercetin, and curcumin, in a succinct manner highlightingκand Akt signaling pathways in vivo.展开更多
Cancer is a major disease worldwide and different approaches are needed for its prevention.Previous laboratory and clinical studies suggest that cancer can be prevented by chemicals,including those from the diet.Furth...Cancer is a major disease worldwide and different approaches are needed for its prevention.Previous laboratory and clinical studies suggest that cancer can be prevented by chemicals,including those from the diet.Furthermore,epidemiological studies have suggested that deficiencies in certain nutrients can increase the risk of some cancers.In this article on chemo/dietary prevention,examples will be given to illustrate the effectiveness of chemopreventive agents in the prevention of breast,colon and prostate cancers in high-risk populations and the possible side effects of these agents.The potential usefulness of dietary approaches in cancer prevention and the reasons for some of the failed trials will be discussed.Lessons learned from these studies can be used to design more relevant research projects and develop effective measures for cancer prevention in the future.The development of effective chemopreventive agents,the use of nutrient supplements in deficient or carcinogen-exposed populations,and the importance of cohort studies will be discussed in the context of the current socioeconomic situation in China.More discussions are needed on how we can influence society to pay more attention to cancer prevention research and measures.展开更多
The incidence of esophageal adenocarcinoma,a poor prognosis neoplasia,has risen dramatically in recent decades.Barrett’s esophagus represents the best-known risk factor for esophageal adenocarcinoma development.Non-s...The incidence of esophageal adenocarcinoma,a poor prognosis neoplasia,has risen dramatically in recent decades.Barrett’s esophagus represents the best-known risk factor for esophageal adenocarcinoma development.Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs through cyclooxygenase-2 inhibition and prostaglandin metabolism regulation could control cell proliferation,increase cell apoptosis and regulate the expression of growth and angiogenic factors.Statins can achieve equivalent effects through prenylation and subsequently control of cellular signaling cascades.At present,epidemiological studies are small and underpowered.Their data could not justify either medication as a chemo-preventive agent.Population based studies have shown a 43%reduction of the odds of developing an esophageal adenocarcinoma,leaving out or stating a 25%reduction in patients consuming non-aspirin nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs and a 50%reduction in those patients consuming aspirin.They have also stated a 19%reduction of esophageal cancer incidence when statins have been used.Observational studies have shown that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs could reduce theadenocarcinoma incidence in patients with Barrett’s esophagus by 41%,while statins could reduce the risk by 43%.The cancer preventive effect has been enhanced in those patients taking a combination of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and statins(a 74%decrease).Observational data are equivocal concerning the efficacy of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug subclasses.Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs clearly have substantial potential for toxicity,while statins are rather safe drugs.In conclusion,both non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and statins are promising chemopreventive agents and deserve further exploration with interventional studies.In the meanwhile,their use is justified only in patients with cardiovascular disease.展开更多
基金supported in part by the NIH/NCCAM grants AT004418 and AT005362
文摘The ginseng family,including Panax ginseng(Asian ginseng),Panax quinquefolius(American ginseng),and Panax notoginseng(notoginseng),is commonly used herbal medicine.White ginseng is prepared by air-drying after harvest,while red ginseng is prepared by a steaming or heating process.The anticancer activity of red ginseng is significantly increased,due to the production of active anticancer ginsenosides during the steaming treatment,compared with that of white ginseng.Thus far,anticancer studies have been mostly focused on Asian ginseng.In this article,we review the research progress made in the anticancer activities of red Asian ginseng,red American ginseng and red notoginseng.The major anticancer mechanisms of red ginseng compounds include cell cycle arrest,induction of apoptosis/paraptosis,and inhibition of angiogenesis.The structure-function relationship analysis has revealed that the protopanaxadiol group ginsenosides have more potent effects than the protopanaxatriol group.Sugar molecules in ginsenosides inversely impact the antiproliferative potential of these compounds.In addition,ginsenoside stereoselectivity and double bond position also influence the anticancer activity.Future studies should focus on characterizing active red ginseng derivatives as potential anticancer drugs.
文摘As cell and tissue homeostasis are mediated by the balance between proliferation and apoptosis, controlling this balance is important for cancer chemoprevention. Cancer chemoprevention can be achieved by the use of natural, synthetic or biologic compounds that reverse, suppress or prevent the development of epithelial malignancies. Natural compounds including flavonoids are able to reduce oxidative stress, which is the most likely mechanism mediating the protective effects against cancer development. In addition, in vitro and in vivo studies have suggested that flavonoids, such as (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallete (EGCG), quercetin, and curcumin, act by induction of apoptosis. Several natural compounds inhibit cell proliferation and angiogenesis. Certain natural products have been shown to inhibit the activation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and Akt signaling pathways, both of which are known to maintain a homeostatic balance between cell survival and apoptosis. Understanding the mechanism of these natural products will contribute to the development of more specific preventive strategies against cancer development. Here we focus on the ability of natural cancer chemopreventive agents to induce apoptosis, and attempt to provide evidence for the preventive and therapeutic effects of natural compounds, EGCG, quercetin, and curcumin, in a succinct manner highlightingκand Akt signaling pathways in vivo.
基金Laboratory research was supported by NIH grants CA120915(USA),CA122474(USA),and CA133021(USA)also supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China(81472977)+1 种基金Scientific Research Foundation for the Returned Overseas Chinese Scholars,State Education Ministry(HG114302)Foundation from Priority Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions and Foundation from Six Big Talent Peak of Jiangsu Province
文摘Cancer is a major disease worldwide and different approaches are needed for its prevention.Previous laboratory and clinical studies suggest that cancer can be prevented by chemicals,including those from the diet.Furthermore,epidemiological studies have suggested that deficiencies in certain nutrients can increase the risk of some cancers.In this article on chemo/dietary prevention,examples will be given to illustrate the effectiveness of chemopreventive agents in the prevention of breast,colon and prostate cancers in high-risk populations and the possible side effects of these agents.The potential usefulness of dietary approaches in cancer prevention and the reasons for some of the failed trials will be discussed.Lessons learned from these studies can be used to design more relevant research projects and develop effective measures for cancer prevention in the future.The development of effective chemopreventive agents,the use of nutrient supplements in deficient or carcinogen-exposed populations,and the importance of cohort studies will be discussed in the context of the current socioeconomic situation in China.More discussions are needed on how we can influence society to pay more attention to cancer prevention research and measures.
文摘The incidence of esophageal adenocarcinoma,a poor prognosis neoplasia,has risen dramatically in recent decades.Barrett’s esophagus represents the best-known risk factor for esophageal adenocarcinoma development.Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs through cyclooxygenase-2 inhibition and prostaglandin metabolism regulation could control cell proliferation,increase cell apoptosis and regulate the expression of growth and angiogenic factors.Statins can achieve equivalent effects through prenylation and subsequently control of cellular signaling cascades.At present,epidemiological studies are small and underpowered.Their data could not justify either medication as a chemo-preventive agent.Population based studies have shown a 43%reduction of the odds of developing an esophageal adenocarcinoma,leaving out or stating a 25%reduction in patients consuming non-aspirin nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs and a 50%reduction in those patients consuming aspirin.They have also stated a 19%reduction of esophageal cancer incidence when statins have been used.Observational studies have shown that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs could reduce theadenocarcinoma incidence in patients with Barrett’s esophagus by 41%,while statins could reduce the risk by 43%.The cancer preventive effect has been enhanced in those patients taking a combination of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and statins(a 74%decrease).Observational data are equivocal concerning the efficacy of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug subclasses.Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs clearly have substantial potential for toxicity,while statins are rather safe drugs.In conclusion,both non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and statins are promising chemopreventive agents and deserve further exploration with interventional studies.In the meanwhile,their use is justified only in patients with cardiovascular disease.
