Potential of Spice-Derived Phytochemicals for Cancer Prevention

Abstract

Although spices have been used for thousands of years and are known for their flavor, taste and color in the food, they are not usually recognized for their medicinal value. Extensive research within the last two decades from our laboratory and others has indicated that there are phytochemicals present in spices that may prevent various chronic illnesses including cancerous, diabetic, cardiovascular, pulmonary, neurological and autoimmune diseases. For instance, the potential of turmeric (curcumin), red chilli (capsaicin), cloves (eugenol), ginger (zerumbone), fennel (anethole), kokum (gambogic acid), fenugreek (diosgenin), and black cumin (thymoquinone) in cancer prevention has been established. Additionally, the mechanism by which these agents mediate anticancer effects is also becoming increasingly evident. The current review describes the active components of some of the major spices, their mechanisms of action and their potential in cancer prevention.

Abbreviations

ADT:anethole ditholethione

Bcl-3:B cell lymphoma protein-3

CDK7:cyclin-dependent kinase 7

cIAP:inhibitor of apoptosis

COX-2:cyclooxygenase-2

DNA:deoxyribonucleic acid

EGF:epidermal growth factor

ELAM-1:endothelial leukocyte adhesion molecule-1

ERK or Erk:extracellular signal-regulated kinases

GA:gambogic acid

GSH:glutathione

GST:glutathione S-transferase

H₂O₂:hydrogen peroxide

hTERT:human telomerase reverse transcriptase

ICAM-1:intercellular adhesion molecule-1

IKK:IκBα kinase

IL:interleukins

JAK:Janus kinases

5-LOX:5-lipoxygenase

MM:multiple myeloma

MMP:matrix metalloproteinase

NADH:nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide hydride

NF-κB:nuclear factor kappa B

NIK:NF-κB inducing kinase

NNK:nitrosamine 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone

RANKL:receptor activator for nuclear factor κB ligand

RHD:Rel homology domain

RTX:resiniferatoxin

STAT:signal transducer and activator of transcription

TNF:tumor necrosis factor

TNFR:TNF receptor

TQ:thymoquinone

TRAF:TNF receptor associated factor

uPA:urokinase plasminogen activator

VCAM:vascular cell adhesion molecule

VEGF:vascular endothelial growth factor

VEGFR2:VEGF receptor 2

Key Words

spice - cancer - chemoprevention - phytochemicals - molecular targets

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