Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
8.1
4.9
Journals
IJMS
Special Issues
Natural Products in Cancer Prevention and Treatment
ijms-logo
Submit to Special Issue Submit Abstract to Special Issue Review for IJMS Propose a Special Issue

Journal Menu

► Journal Menu

Journal Browser

► Journal Browser
share announcement

Natural Products in Cancer Prevention and Treatment

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Bioactives and Nutraceuticals".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 July 2025 | Viewed by 7756

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Simona Serini

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Translational Medicine and Surgery, Section of General Pathology, School of Medicine and Surgery, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo F. Vito, 1-00168 Rome, Italy
Interests: cancer; nutrition; omega-3 fatty acids; antioxidants; phenolic compounds; inflammation; neurodegenerative diseases; nutrition; metabolic diseases
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Gabriella Calviello

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Translational Medicine and Surgery, Section of General Pathology, School of Medicine and Surgery, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo F. Vito, 1-00168 Rome, Italy
Interests: cancer; nutrition; omega-3 fatty acids; antioxidants; phenolic compounds; inflammation; neurodegenerative diseases; metabolic diseases
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Cancer is a noncommunicable disease characterized by the uncontrolled proliferation of cells. It is a leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for nearly 10 million deaths in 2020. Even though innovative strategies such as targeted therapy and immunotherapy are being largely used, in most cases, chemotherapy and radiation therapy are still the most predominantly used forms of therapy. However, since they mainly act by damaging the DNA of rapidly dividing cancer cells, they also affect other normal cells with high rates of proliferation, and thus can be associated with deleterious side effects. Moreover, drug resistance very frequently arises in treated patients. Targeted therapy and immunotherapy have also been associated with undesired side effects. As a result, there is growing interest in exploring new therapeutic approaches able to exert an efficacious antineoplastic effect, while being safe to normal cells. In recent years, natural compounds extracted from vegetables, fruits, and other dietary constituents, such as marine polyunsaturated fatty acids and minerals, have been widely studied for their potential to prevent cancer or for their use in combination with conventional or innovative anti-neoplastic therapies to improve their beneficial effects against cancer cells and reduce the concentration of drugs used.

This Special Issue will highlight results of preclinical and clinical studies currently focused on cancer and that are related to anti-neoplastic therapeutic strategies involving natural products. In particular, it will provide an overview of novel molecular pathways targeted by natural products that are crucial for cancer treatments. Hence, for this Special Issue, we are inviting researchers to contribute original articles and reviews on these topics.

Dr. Simona Serini
Dr. Gabriella Calviello
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. There is an Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal. For details about the APC please see here. Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • natural products
  • cancer
  • therapeutic strategies
  • novel molecular pathways

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (7 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

24 pages, 5537 KiB  
Article
Gratiola officinalis Alcoholic Extract Targets Warburg Effect, Apoptosis and Cell Cycle Progression in Colorectal Cancer Cell Lines
by Stefano Bianchini, Federica Bovio, Stefano Negri, Flavia Guzzo, Matilde Forcella and Paola Fusi
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(5), 2220; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26052220 - 28 Feb 2025
Viewed by 554
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second deadliest cancer in the Western world. Increased body weight, a diet rich in red meat and alcohol, as well as a sedentary lifestyle, are all involved in sporadic CRC pathogenesis. Since current CRC therapies show several side [...] Read more.
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second deadliest cancer in the Western world. Increased body weight, a diet rich in red meat and alcohol, as well as a sedentary lifestyle, are all involved in sporadic CRC pathogenesis. Since current CRC therapies show several side effects, there is a need to find new and more effective therapeutic approaches, allowing conventional drug dosages and toxicity to be reduced. Gratiola officinalis alcoholic extract was characterized by LC-MS and its effect investigated on a healthy colon mucosa cell line and on different colorectal cancer cell lines. Cell viability, apoptosis and cell cycle progression were evaluated through flow cytometry; energy production and glycolysis were investigated using Seahorse technology, while cancer markers were analyzed through Western blotting. The untargeted metabolomics analysis of G. officinalis alcoholic extract revealed glycosides of different polyphenols and glycosides of cucurbitane-type triterpenes. This extract showed a stronger impact on CRC cell line viability compared to healthy colon cells. In the E705 CRC cell line, it induced cell apoptosis and caused the downregulation of glycolysis, inhibiting cell proliferation. On the other hand, SW480 CRC cells treated with G. officinalis extract showed G2/M cell cycle arrest. This work shows that G. officinalis extract can reduce glycolysis and promote cell cycle arrest in CRC cells, suggesting that G. officinalis could represent a novel player in the prevention and treatment of CRC. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Products in Cancer Prevention and Treatment)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 3084 KiB  
Article
Tepary Bean (Phaseolus acutifolius) Lectins as Modulators of Intracellular Calcium Mobilization in Breast Cancer and Normal Breast Cells
by Andrea Díaz-Betancourt, María Elizabeth Galicia-Castillo, Verónica Morales-Tlalpan, Jorge Luis Chávez-Servín, Alejandro Blanco-Labra, Teresa García-Gasca and Carlos Saldaña
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(3), 1064; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26031064 - 26 Jan 2025
Viewed by 713
Abstract
Lectins are proteins that specifically recognize carbohydrates on cell membranes, triggering several cellular events such as apoptosis of cancer-transformed cells; however, the mechanisms of action remain incompletely understood. Our research group has reported that a concentrated fraction of Tepary bean lectins (Phaseolus [...] Read more.
Lectins are proteins that specifically recognize carbohydrates on cell membranes, triggering several cellular events such as apoptosis of cancer-transformed cells; however, the mechanisms of action remain incompletely understood. Our research group has reported that a concentrated fraction of Tepary bean lectins (Phaseolus acutifolius; TBLF) exhibits the concentration-dependent induction of apoptosis in colon cancer cells by caspase activation. It is well established that an increase in cytoplasmic calcium ([Ca2+]i) initiates intracellular signals involved in processes such as exocytosis, gene transcription, apoptosis, cell cycle regulation, and muscle contraction, among others. Furthermore, dysregulated calcium signaling has been implicated in various diseases, including certain neurological disorders and cancer. In this study, we aim to demonstrate the effects of native TBLF lectins and a recombinant lectin (rTBL-1) on calcium mobility in breast cancer cells (MCF-7) and non-cancerous cells (MCF-12F). Both TBLF and rTBL-1 increased intracellular calcium concentrations and mobilized calcium from intracellular stores in a concentration-dependent manner; however, the two cell lines exhibited differential responses. While MCF-12F cells restored cytoplasmic calcium concentration, MCF-7 cells maintained a high intracellular calcium concentration. This strongly suggests that lectins can elicit differential cellular responses in cancer and non-cancer cells due to variations in their intrinsic mechanisms of calcium homeostasis. Finally, we demonstrated that TBLF and rTBL-1 can differentially alter Metabolic Cellular Activity (MCA) as a direct measure of cell viability (CVi) in both cell lines. These findings strengthen the evidence of the therapeutic potential of Tepary bean lectins. Undoubtedly, further studies will be necessary to elucidate the mechanisms underlying their applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Products in Cancer Prevention and Treatment)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 1639 KiB  
Communication
The Effects of a Grape Seed Procyanidin Extract on Cytochrome P450 3A4 Activity and Inflammatory Mediators in the Lungs of Heavy Active and Former Smokers
by Bingye Xue, Clifford Qualls, Alexander Lanthiez, Qing-Yi Lu, Jieping Yang, Ru-Po Lee, Patricia Neis and Jenny T. Mao
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(23), 13105; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms252313105 - 6 Dec 2024
Viewed by 1144
Abstract
Grape seed procyanidin extract (GSE) is widely used to promote cardiovascular health and has purported anti-inflammatory properties. Chronic inflammation in the lungs caused by environmental toxins such as tobacco smoking plays a pivotal role in lung cancer development. In a modified phase I [...] Read more.
Grape seed procyanidin extract (GSE) is widely used to promote cardiovascular health and has purported anti-inflammatory properties. Chronic inflammation in the lungs caused by environmental toxins such as tobacco smoking plays a pivotal role in lung cancer development. In a modified phase I lung cancer chemoprevention study conducted in heavy active and former smokers using leucoselect phytosome (LP), a standardized grape seed procyanidin extract complexed with soy phospholipids to enhance bioavailability, three months of LP treatment favorably modulated a variety of surrogate endpoint biomarkers, including markers of cell proliferation. In this correlative study, we further analyzed the effects of LP on cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) activities by comparing the endogenous conversions of cortisol and cortisone to 6-beta-hydroxycortisol and 6-beta-hydroxycortisone, respectively, before and after LP treatment and the anti-inflammatory effects of LP in the lung microenvironment of these participants by comparing a profile of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines in matched pre- and post-treatment bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluids. LP treatment did not significantly alter CYP3A4 activity, and three months of LP treatment significantly decreased tumor necrosis factor (TNF), C-C Motif Chemokine Ligand 3 (CCL3) and granzyme B in BAL fluids. Furthermore, post-LP-treatment BAL fluids significantly reduced migration/invasion of various human lung neoplastic cells in vitro. Our findings support the anti-inflammatory effects of GSE/LP in the lung microenvironment and its potential utility for reducing cancerizing forces, as well as driving forces for other common respiratory diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma, in the lungs of heavy former and active smokers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Products in Cancer Prevention and Treatment)
►▼ Show Figures

Graphical abstract

14 pages, 3520 KiB  
Article
Stilbene Treatment Reduces Stemness Features in Human Lung Adenocarcinoma Model
by Vittoria Livraghi, Alice Grossi, Anna Scopelliti, Giorgia Senise, Luciano Augusto Gamboa, Samantha Solito, Lucia Anna Stivala, Virginie Sottile and Monica Savio
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(19), 10390; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms251910390 - 27 Sep 2024
Viewed by 1438
Abstract
Lung cancer is among the most clinically challenging tumors because of its aggressive proliferation, metastasis, and the presence of cancer stem cells (CSCs). Natural bioactive substances have been used for cancer prevention, and, in particular, resveratrol (RSV), a stilbene-based compound with wide biological [...] Read more.
Lung cancer is among the most clinically challenging tumors because of its aggressive proliferation, metastasis, and the presence of cancer stem cells (CSCs). Natural bioactive substances have been used for cancer prevention, and, in particular, resveratrol (RSV), a stilbene-based compound with wide biological properties, has been proposed for chemoprevention. Its lesser-known analogue 4,4’-dihydroxy-trans-stilbene (DHS) has demonstrated superior activity both in cell-based assays and in mouse and zebrafish in vivo models. The present study analyzed the effects of DHS and RSV on A549 lung cancer cells, with a particular focus on stemness features and CSCs, isolated by sorting of the side population (SP). The results show that both stilbenes, especially DHS, strongly inhibited cell cycle progression. A reduction in the S phase was induced by DHS, whereas an increase in this phase was obtained with RSV. In addition, 50% reductions in the clonogenicity and soft agar colony formation were observed with the DHS treatment only. Finally, both stilbenes, especially DHS, reduced stemness marker expression in A549 cells and their sorted SP fraction. Spheroid formation, higher in SP cells than in the main population (MP), was significantly reduced after pretreatment with DHS, which was found to decrease SOX2 levels more than RSV. These findings indicate that stilbenes, and particularly DHS, affect stemness features of A549 cells and the SP fraction, suggesting their potential utility as anticancer agents, either alone or combined with chemotherapeutic drugs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Products in Cancer Prevention and Treatment)
►▼ Show Figures

Graphical abstract

Review

Jump to: Research

26 pages, 2602 KiB  
Review
Nutrients Lowering Obesity-Linked Chemokines Blamable for Metastasis
by Gabriela Ion, Marinela Bostan, Wanda Elaine Hardman, Margaret Putt McFarland, Coralia Bleotu, Nicoleta Radu, Carmen Cristina Diaconu, Mirela Mihaila, Mihai Dan Caramihai and Camelia Mia Hotnog
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(5), 2275; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26052275 - 4 Mar 2025
Viewed by 905
Abstract
Food intake is an essential contributor to both health and disease. Nutrients contribute to a beneficial metabolic equilibrium at the cellular level, preventing or delaying disease onset. Dietary intake contributes to obesity, and obesity supports further cancer and metastasis. Metastasis, a multifactorial and [...] Read more.
Food intake is an essential contributor to both health and disease. Nutrients contribute to a beneficial metabolic equilibrium at the cellular level, preventing or delaying disease onset. Dietary intake contributes to obesity, and obesity supports further cancer and metastasis. Metastasis, a multifactorial and multistep process, is supported by the systemic inflammation of obesity. Spreading of the cancer cells requires the presence of a plethora of recruiter and regulator molecules. Molecules such as chemokines are provided at high levels by obesity-associated fat depots. Chemokine up-regulation in adipose tissue of obese individuals has been associated with different types of cancers such as breast, prostate, colon, liver, and stomach. Chemokines support all metastasis steps from invasion/migration to intravasation, circulation, extravasation, and ending with colonization. The obesity pool of chemokines supporting these processes includes CCL2, CCL3, CCL4, CCL5, CCL7, CCL8, CCL11, CCL18, CCL19, CCL20, CXCL1, CXCL5, CXCL 8, CXCL10, and CXCL12. Keeping obesity under control can be beneficial in reducing the levels of pro-inflammatory chemokines and the risk of poor cancer outcome. Nutrients can help, support, and boost cancer treatment effects or jeopardize the treatment. Constituents with anti-inflammatory and anti-obesity properties such as polyphenols, organosulfur components, fatty acids, curcumin, and vitamin E have a proven beneficial effect in lowering obesity and its contribution to metastasis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Products in Cancer Prevention and Treatment)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 2217 KiB  
Review
Potential Anticancer Effects of Isoflavone Prunetin and Prunetin Glycoside on Apoptosis Mechanisms
by Se Hyo Jeong, Hun Hwan Kim, Min Yeong Park, Pritam Bhangwan Bhosale, Abuyaseer Abusaliya, Kwang Hyun Hwang, Yeon Gyu Moon, Jeong Doo Heo, Je Kyung Seong, Meejung Ahn, Kwang Il Park, Chung Kil Won and Gon Sup Kim
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(21), 11713; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms252111713 - 31 Oct 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1112
Abstract
Cancer is a deadly disease caused by cells that deviate from the normal differentiation and proliferation behaviors and continue to multiply. There is still no definitive cure, and many side effects occur even after treatment. However, apoptosis, one of the programs imprinted on [...] Read more.
Cancer is a deadly disease caused by cells that deviate from the normal differentiation and proliferation behaviors and continue to multiply. There is still no definitive cure, and many side effects occur even after treatment. However, apoptosis, one of the programs imprinted on cells, is becoming an important concept in controlling cancer. Flavonoids are polyphenolic compounds found in plants, are naturally bioactive compounds, have been studied for their anticancer effects, and have fewer side effects than chemical treatments. Isoflavones are phytoestrogens belonging to the flavonoid family, and this review discusses in depth the potential anticancer effects of prunetin, one of the many flavonoid families, via the apoptotic mechanism. In addition, a glycoside called prunetin glucoside has been investigated for its anticancer effects through apoptotic mechanisms. The primary intention of this review is to identify the effects of prunetin and its glycoside, prunetin glucoside, on cell death signaling pathways in various cancers to enhance the potential anticancer effects of these natural compounds. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Products in Cancer Prevention and Treatment)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

22 pages, 3994 KiB  
Review
NRF2 Modulators of Plant Origin and Their Ability to Overcome Multidrug Resistance in Cancers
by Piotr Wadowski, Michał Juszczak and Katarzyna Woźniak
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(21), 11500; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms252111500 - 26 Oct 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1274
Abstract
Cancer is one of the most common causes of death in the world. Despite the fact that there are many types of therapies available, cancer treatment remains a major challenge. The main reason for the ineffectiveness of chemotherapy is the acquisition of multidrug [...] Read more.
Cancer is one of the most common causes of death in the world. Despite the fact that there are many types of therapies available, cancer treatment remains a major challenge. The main reason for the ineffectiveness of chemotherapy is the acquisition of multidrug resistance (MDR) by cancer cells. One of the factors responsible for the acquisition of MDR is the NRF2 transcription factor, which regulates the expression of proteins such as HO-1, NQO1, MRP1, MRP2, and GST. In normal cells, NRF2 is the first line of defense against oxidative stress, thereby preventing carcinogenesis. Still, its hyperactivation in cancer cells causes them to acquire MDR, which significantly reduces or eliminates the effectiveness of chemotherapy. Considering the important role NRF2 plays in the acquisition of MDR, its modulators and, above all, inhibitors are being sought after, including among compounds of plant origin. NRF2 inhibition may prove to be a key element of anticancer therapy. This review summarizes the current state of knowledge about plant NRF2 inhibitors and presents the effects of their use in overcoming MDR in cancer. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Products in Cancer Prevention and Treatment)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-7
Back to TopTop