Majority Of Phytochemicals Research Articles

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

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.

Review of Nutraceuticals and Functional Properties of Whole Wheat

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is one of the most commonly cultivated and consumed cereals throughout the world. Though phytochemicals and antioxidants in the cereal grains have not been studied as in fruits and vegetables, given the role of wheat in our diet plate, it is a given of primary importance to understand the chemistry of our major food, wheat. The presence of diverse polyphenols and their action against leading cause of death, including heart diseases, cancer, obesity, and diabetes, widens the scope of wheat. Phytochemicals such as phenolic acids, alkylresorcinols, flavonoids, phytosterols, and carotenoids are present in whole wheat. The majority of phytochemicals are located in the wheat bran/germ fraction, and they are the leading contributors to the health promoting activities. However, the presence of anti-nutrients and binding of phenolic acids with protein may have adverse effect on health. This review mainly focuses on studies that have been carried out in the past decade to present, emphasizing the importance of whole wheat and whole wheat based products in preventing major diseases and disease conditions, potentials threats, current lacks, and future prospects.