Abstract
Many studies have shown that mitochondrial metabolism has a fundamental role in induction of carcinogenesis due to the influence of increased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in all steps of oncogene transformation and cancer progression. It is widely accepted that the anticancer effect of conventional anticancer drugs is due to induction of oxidative stress and elevated intracellular levels of ROS, which alter the redox homeostasis of cancer cells. On the other hand, the harmful side effects of conventional anticancer chemotherapeutics are also due to increased production of ROS and disruption of redox homeostasis of normal cells and tissues. Therefore, there is a growing interest toward the development of natural antioxidant compounds from various sources, which could impact the redox state of cancer and normal cells by different pathways and could prevent damage from oxidant-mediated reactions. It is known that chitosan exhibits versatile biological properties, including biodegradability, biocompatibility, and a less toxic nature. Because of its antioxidant, antibacterial, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and immunostimulatory activities, the biopolymer has been used in a wide variety of pharmaceutical, biomedical, food industry, health, and agricultural applications and has been classified as a new physiologically bioactive material.
Highlights
In the cells, due to their metabolism, reactive oxygen species (ROS), such as superoxide radical, hydroxyl radical, hydroperoxyl radical, and hydrogenperoxide, have been produced.[1]
The production of ROS above permissible levels could result in damage of cellular macromolecules, for example to change the structure of DNA, membrane lipids, and proteins, which may result in diseases such as cancer, aging, inflammation, and different neurodegenerative disorders as well as other diseases.[2,4,9,11]
After 48 h of incubation time, cell proliferation was investigated and the results indicated that chitosan-copper complexes selectively inhibited HeLa and 293 tumor cell line proliferation, but there was no inhibition in the growth of HLF.[79]
Summary
Due to their metabolism, reactive oxygen species (ROS), such as superoxide radical, hydroxyl radical, hydroperoxyl radical, and hydrogenperoxide, have been produced.[1]. It has been reported that chitosan stimulates the host immune system against viral and bacterial infection.[13,16,17] Because of its biological properties, including antioxidant, antibacterial, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and immunostimulatory activities, the biopolymer has been used in a wide variety of pharmaceutical, biomedical, food industry, health, and agricultural applications and has been classified as a new physiologically bioactive material.[13,18,19,20,21,22,23]. In this mini-review, we will focus on the antioxidant properties, redox-regulatory activities of chitosan and its derivatives, and their application as anticancer agents
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
