Title:c-Jun N-terminal Kinase (JNK), p38, and Caspases: Promising Therapeutic
Targets for the Regulation of Apoptosis in Cancer Cells by Phytochemicals
Volume: 20
Issue: 2
Author(s): Manish Kumar, Satwinderjeet Kaur and Sandeep Kaur*
Affiliation:
- Department of Botanical and Environmental Sciences, Guru Nanak Dev
University, Amritsar- 143005, Punjab, India
Keywords:
Cancer, apoptosis, caspases, chemoprevention, phytoconstituents, JNK pathway.
Abstract: Carcinogenesis is a process in which uncontrolled cell proliferation forms preneoplastic
nodules which precede the appearance of cancer. In normal cells, growth and proliferation are regulated
by certain growth and hormonal stimulation, while mutational alterations in these signals render
the cells independent and resistant to these signals. In cancer, the critical homeostatic balance between
cell growth and apoptosis is lost and the cells continue to survive beyond their normal life
span. The activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), p38 and caspases are involved in potential
proapoptotic signaling pathways. JNK, p38 MAPK pathway and caspases play a crucial role in the
control of apoptosis in response to stress. The most recent and up-to-date literature was evaluated in
this study, which describes the role of JNK, p38 MAPK pathway and caspases as therapeutic target in
cancer. Chemotherapy uses drugs that are cytotoxic to highly proliferating tumor cells but also kills
the non-tumor rapidly proliferating cells in the hair, skin and gastrointestinal tract epithelium, thereby
accounting the side effects of these types of treatments. Recently, chemopreventive modalities derived
from phytoconstituents present in plants provide a broad-spectrum strategy to overcome the
incidence of cancer. Non-toxic, safe and affordable bioavailabilities of chemopreventive agents provide
credence support in the field of cancer research compared to conventional therapies that cause
serious consequences. Chemoprevention envisages the basic mechanisms like modulating the activity
of xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes, induction of apoptosis, immune system activation, suppressing
angiogenesis and the formation of metastasis, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The present
review highlighted the role of phytoconstituents derived from food, vegetables and medicinal
plants in the induction of apoptosis in cancer cells, which in turn is mediated by the activation of
JNK, p38 MAPK pathways, and caspases.