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Review
. 2022 Apr 10;14(8):1574.
doi: 10.3390/nu14081574.

The Employment of Genera Vaccinium, Citrus, Olea, and Cynara Polyphenols for the Reduction of Selected Anti-Cancer Drug Side Effects

Jessica Maiuolo  1 , Vincenzo Musolino  1 , Micaela Gliozzi  2 , Cristina Carresi  2 , Francesca Oppedisano  2 , Saverio Nucera  2 , Federica Scarano  2 , Miriam Scicchitano  2 , Lorenza Guarnieri  2   3 , Francesca Bosco  2 , Roberta Macrì  2   3 , Stefano Ruga  2   3 , Antonio Cardamone  2   3 , Anna Rita Coppoletta  2   3 , Sara Ilari  2 , Annachiara Mollace  4 , Carolina Muscoli  2 , Francesco Cognetti  4 , Vincenzo Mollace  2   5
Affiliations
Review

The Employment of Genera Vaccinium, Citrus, Olea, and Cynara Polyphenols for the Reduction of Selected Anti-Cancer Drug Side Effects

Jessica Maiuolo et al. Nutrients. .

Abstract

Cancer is one of the most widespread diseases globally and one of the leading causes of death. Known cancer treatments are chemotherapy, surgery, radiation therapy, targeted hormonal therapy, or a combination of these methods. Antitumor drugs, with different mechanisms, interfere with cancer growth by destroying cancer cells. However, anticancer drugs are dangerous, as they significantly affect both cancer cells and healthy cells. In addition, there may be the onset of systemic side effects perceived and mutagenicity, teratogenicity, and further carcinogenicity. Many polyphenolic extracts, taken on top of common anti-tumor drugs, can participate in the anti-proliferative effect of drugs and significantly reduce the side effects developed. This review aims to discuss the current scientific knowledge of the protective effects of polyphenols of the genera Vaccinium, Citrus, Olea, and Cynara on the side effects induced by four known chemotherapy, Cisplatin, Doxorubicin, Tamoxifen, and Paclitaxel. In particular, the summarized data will help to understand whether polyphenols can be used as adjuvants in cancer therapy, although further clinical trials will provide crucial information.

Keywords: Cisplatin; Citrus; Cynara; Doxorubicin; Olea; Paclitaxel; Tamoxifen; chemotherapy; genera Vaccinium; polyphenols.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Absorption and metabolism for dietary polyphenols.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Mechanism of action of Cisplatin and Doxorubicin.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Mechanism of action of Tamoxifen and Paclitaxel.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Chemical structure of selected anticancer drugs and natural compounds contained in the genera considered.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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