The Role of Mitochondria in Phytochemically Mediated Disease Amelioration
Yen‐Chun Koh, Chi‐Tang Ho, Min‐Hsiung Pan
Abstract
Mitochondrial dysfunction may cause cell death, which has recently emerged as a cancer prevention and treatment strategy mediated by chemotherapy drugs or phytochemicals. However, most existing drugs cannot target cancerous cells and may adversely affect normal cells via side effects. Mounting studies have revealed that phytochemicals such as resveratrol could ameliorate various diseases with dysfunctional or damaged mitochondria. For instance, resveratrol can regulate mitophagy, inhibit oxidative stress and preserve membrane potential, induce mitochondrial biogenesis, balance mitochondrial fusion and fission, and enhance the functionality of the electron transport chain. However, there are only a few studies suggesting that phytochemicals could potentially protect against the cytotoxicity of some current cancer drugs, especially those that damage mitochondria. Besides, COVID-19 and long COVID have also been reported to be correlated to mitochondrial dysfunction. Curcumin has been reported bringing a positive impact on COVID-19 and long COVID. Therefore, in this study, the benefits of resveratrol and curcumin to be applied for cancer treatment/prevention and disease amelioration were reviewed. Besides, this review also provides some perspectives on phytochemicals to be considered as a treatment adjuvant for COVID-19 and long COVID by targeting mitochondrial rescue. Hopefully, this review can provide new insight into disease treatment with phytochemicals targeting mitochondria.