Flavonoids as omnipotent candidates for cancer management
Pallavi Chand, Hitesh Kumar, Rupshee Jain, Atul Jain, Vikas Jain
Abstract
The development of the cancer is a complex process as it proliferates, alters the signaling pathways, and ultimately reduced the patient's survival. The altered cellular events and compromised cellular apoptosis restricts the sensitization of cancer cells to the existing chemotherapeutics. Hence, cancer therapy needs to focus on the development of novel, cost effective, and potent therapeutics approaches which can even overcome the chemo resistance. Plant-based secondary metabolites, such as flavonoids, and their versatile use in health benefits as well as research interest pertaining to their therapeutic benefits are increasing. Flavonoids are used as dietary supplements and are involved in several biological functions and activities. Flavonoids are polyphenolic compounds composed of a 15-carbon skeleton. Due to their diverse pharmacological activities, flavonoids are used for the management of several diseases via oxidative stress and the induction/regression of proteins, enzymes, genes and signaling pathways. The present review aims to extensively discuss the mechanism of flavonoids and their potential utility in inducing programmed cell death. The role of flavonoids as anti-angiogenic, vascular disruption agent and overcoming drug resistance are also discussed. Presently, we have reviewed the various studies on different types of flavonoids, the working mechanism of flavonoids, pharmacological effects, targeting pathways and clinical studies of flavonoids related to multiple cancers. This review offers a prospect for scientists worldwide to understand the potential of flavonoids in the management of cancer.