Genistein

26178025

Primary prevention through lifestyle interventions is a cost-effective alternative for preventing a large burden of chronic and degenerative diseases, including cancer, which is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. In the past decade, epidemiologic and preclinical evidence suggested that polyphenolic phytochemicals present in many plant foods possess chemopreventive properties against several cancer forms. Thus, there has been increasing interest in the potential cancer chemopreventive agents obtained from natural sources, such as polyphenols, that may represent a new, affordable approach to curb the increasing burden of cancer throughout the world. Several epidemiologic studies showed a relation between a soy-rich diet and cancer prevention, which was attributed to the presence of a phenolic compound, genistein, present in soy-based foods. Genistein acts as a chemotherapeutic agent against different types of cancer, mainly by altering apoptosis, the cell cycle, and angiogenesis and inhibiting metastasis. Targeting caspases, B cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2)-associated X protein (Bax), Bcl-2, kinesin-like protein 20A (KIF20A), extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), nuclear transcription factor κB (NF-κB), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), inhibitor of NF-κB (IκB), Wingless and integration 1 β-catenin (Wnt/β-catenin), and phosphoinositide 3 kinase/Akt (PI3K/Akt) signaling pathways may act as the molecular mechanisms of the anticancer, therapeutic effects of genistein. Genistein also shows synergistic behavior with well-known anticancer drugs, such as adriamycin, docetaxel, and tamoxifen, suggesting a potential role in combination therapy. This review critically analyzes the available literature on the therapeutic role of genistein on different types of cancer, focusing on its chemical features, plant food sources, bioavailability, and safety.

Adipogenesis; Cancer; Genistein; Insulin; Metabolic diseases.

Genistein and Cancer: Current Status, Challenges, and Future Directions

Carmela Spagnuolo 1 , Gian Luigi Russo 2 , Ilkay Erdogan Orhan 3 , Solomon Habtemariam 4 , Maria Daglia 5 , Antoni Sureda 6 , Seyed Fazel Nabavi 7 , Kasi Pandima Devi 8 , Monica Rosa Loizzo 9 , Rosa Tundis 9 , Seyed Mohammad Nabavi 10

2015 Jul 15

26653547

Genistein is a soy derived isoflavanoid compound with multitude of health benefits. This compound is found to be a potent agent in both prophylaxis and treatment of cancer and various other chronic diseases. Ranging from its antioxidant activity to its effect on various cancer types, genistein has been a compound of interest in a number of studies carried out so far. The great interest that has focused on genistein led to the identification of numerous intracellular targets of its action in the live cells. Retardation of atherogenic activity and increasing the antioxidant defense of a cell has been attributed to genistein while as it has also been reported that genistein possesses suppressive effects on both the cell-mediated and humoral components of the adaptive immune system. At the molecular level, genistein reduces the number of developing CD4(+) and CD8(+) thymocytes suggesting a possible mechanism for genistein effects on cell-mediated immunity. Genistein may inhibit cancer progression by inducing apoptosis or inhibiting proliferation. In addition, genistein has its prominent role in preventing the DNA damage. Apolipoprotein B secretion gets reduced when the subjects are administered with genistein. Genistein confers a better protection to ischemic conditions thereby giving a significant cardioprotection. At cellular level adipocyte differentiation is another property of genistein which makes it a better neutraceutical which can reduce the atherogenic condition and hypercholesterolemia. Expression of human endothelial nitric oxide synthase is associated with genistein supplementation. The advantage of using genistein is its multidirectional action and its lesser toxicity.

Adipocyte; Antioxidant; Apolipoprotein; Cardioprotection; Cell mediated immunity; Colon cancer.

Bioactivity of Genistein: A Review of in Vitro and in Vivo Studies

Ajaz Ahmad Ganai 1 , Humaira Farooqi 2

2015 Dec