Dietary phytochemicals targeting Nf-<i>K</i>B signalling pathways: Potential cancer chemoprevention strategy

Abstract

Chemoprevention is an approach involving the use of natural or synthetic substances to prevent the risk of development many diseases including cancer. Nuclear factor–kappa B (NF-kB) signaling pathways is crucial in either inducing processes of inflammation and apoptosis. As a result, it is implicated in numerous stages of carcinogenesis through collaboration with several signaling pathways and molecules. This transcription factor may be regarded as key target for cancer chemoprevention. Phytochemicals available in food as well as green plants have been demonstrated to have cancer protection activities by modulating important cellular signaling pathways including NF-kB pathway. Numerous phytochemicals, primarily components of edible vegetables and plants, have been reported in the literature to modulate NF-kB. Suppressing NF-kB may provide protection to the normal cells against development and spread of cancer. Majority of phytochemicals use various mechanisms to inhibit NF-kB. Different phytochemicals combinations present in a natural food may enhance their modulating potential on NF-kB and consequently elicit cancer prevention. This article reviews the current understanding of the potential effect of some phytochemicals and their combinations on NF-kB activities.