Chung MY, Lim TG, Lee KW. Molecular mechanisms of chemopreventive phytochemicals against gastroenterological cancer development. World J Gastroenterol 2013; 19(7): 984-993 [PMID: 23467658 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v19.i7.984]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Ki Won Lee, Associate Professor, WCU Biomodulation Major, Center for Food and Bioconvergence, Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, San 56-1 Shinlim-dong, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 151-742, South Korea. kiwon@snu.ac.kr
Research Domain of This Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Article-Type of This Article
Topic Highlight
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World J Gastroenterol. Feb 21, 2013; 19(7): 984-993 Published online Feb 21, 2013. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v19.i7.984
Molecular mechanisms of chemopreventive phytochemicals against gastroenterological cancer development
Min-Yu Chung, Tae Gyu Lim, Ki Won Lee
Min-Yu Chung, Ki Won Lee, WCU Biomodulation Major, Center for Food and Bioconvergence, Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-742, South Korea
Tae Gyu Lim, Ki Won Lee, Advanced Institutes of Convergence Technology, Seoul National University, Suwon 443-270, South Korea
Author contributions: Chung MY, Lim TG and Lee KW contributed equally to this work.
Supported by Grants from the Next-Generation BioGreen 21 Program (Plant Molecular Breeding Center, No. PJ008187), Rural Development Administration; the Leap Research Program (2010-0029233) and World Class University Program (Grant R31-2008-00-10056-0) through the National Research Foundation of Korea funded by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, South Korea
Correspondence to: Ki Won Lee, Associate Professor, WCU Biomodulation Major, Center for Food and Bioconvergence, Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, San 56-1 Shinlim-dong, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 151-742, South Korea. kiwon@snu.ac.kr
Telephone: +82-2-8804661 Fax: +82-2-8786178
Received: September 19, 2012 Revised: January 14, 2013 Accepted: January 23, 2013 Published online: February 21, 2013
Abstract
Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Commonly used cancer treatments, including chemotherapy and radiation therapy, often have side effects and a complete cure is sometimes impossible. Therefore, prevention, suppression, and/or delaying the onset of the disease are important. The onset of gastroenterological cancers is closely associated with an individual’s lifestyle. Thus, changing lifestyle, specifically the consumption of fruits and vegetables, can help to protect against the development of gastroenterological cancers. In particular, naturally occurring bioactive compounds, including curcumin, resveratrol, isothiocyanates, (-)-epigallocatechin gallate and sulforaphane, are regarded as promising chemopreventive agents. Hence, regular consumption of these natural bioactive compounds found in foods can contribute to prevention, suppression, and/or delay of gastroenterological cancer development. In this review, we will summarize natural phytochemicals possessing potential antioxidant and/or anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic activities, which are exerted by regulating or targeting specific molecules against gastroenterological cancers, including esophageal, gastric and colon cancers.
