Title:Research Progress in Flavonoids as Potential Anticancer Drug Including Synergy with Other Approaches
Volume: 20
Issue: 20
Author(s): Yusuf Hussain, Suaib Luqman and Abha Meena*
Affiliation:
- Molecular Bioprospection Department of Biotechnology Division, CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Lucknow-226015, Uttar Pradesh,India
Keywords:
Cancer, Flavonoids, Synergistic therapy, Oncology research, Drug-delivery, Pharmacodynamics.
Abstract:
Background: In chemotherapy for cancer, conventional drugs aim to target the rapidly growing
and dividing cells at the early stages. However, at an advanced stage, cancer cells become less susceptible
because of the multidrug resistance and the recruitment of alternative salvage pathways for their
survival. Besides, owing to target non-selectivity, healthy proliferating cells also become vulnerable to
the damage. The combination therapies offered using flavonoids to cure cancer not only exert an additive
effect against cancer cells by targetting supplementary cell carnage pathways but also hampers the
drug resistance mechanisms. Thus, the review aims to discuss the potential and pharmacokinetic limitations
of flavonoids in cancer treatment. Further successful synergistic studies reported using flavonoids
to treat cancer has been described along with potential drug delivery systems.
Methods: A literature search was done by exploring various online databases like Pubmed, Scopus, and
Google Scholar with the specific keywords like “Anticancer drugs”, “flavonoids”, “oncology research”,
and “pharmacokinetics”.
Results: Dietary phytochemicals, mainly flavonoids, hinder cell signalling responsible for multidrug
resistance and cancer progression, primarily targeting cancer cells sparing normal cells. Such properties
establish flavonoids as a potential candidate for synergistic therapy. However, due to low absorption and
high metabolism rates, the bioavailability of flavonoids becomes a challenge. Such challenges may be
overcome using novel approaches like derivatization, and single or co-delivery nano-complexes of flavonoids
with conventional drugs. These new approaches may improve the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic
of flavonoids.
Conclusion: This review highlights the application of flavonoids as a potential anticancer phytochemical
class in combination with known anti-cancer drugs/nanoparticles. It also discusses flavonoid’s pharmacokinetics
and pharmacodynamics issues and ways to overcome such issues. Moreover, it covers successful
methodologies employed to establish flavonoids as a safe and effective phytochemical class for
cancer treatment.
