The release of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative stress is associated with the development of many ailments, including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and cancer. The causal link between oxidative stress and cancer is well established and antioxidants are suggested as a protective mechanism against cancer development. Recently, an increase in the consumption of antioxidant supplements was observed globally. The main sources of these antioxidants include fruits, vegetables, and beverage. Herbal infusions are highly popular beverages consumed daily for different reasons. Studies showed the potent antioxidant effects of plants used in the preparation of some herbal infusions. Such herbal infusions represent an important source of antioxidants and can be used as a dietary protection against cancer. However, uncontrolled consumption of herbal infusions may cause toxicity and reduced antioxidant activity. In this review, eleven widely consumed herbal infusions were evaluated for their antioxidant capacities, anticancer potential and possible toxicity. These herbal infusions are highly popular and consumed as daily drinks in different countries. Studies discussed in this review will provide a solid ground for researchers to have better understanding of the use of herbal infusions to reduce oxidative stress and as protective supplements against cancer development.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer and the second most deadly cancer worldwide. Nevertheless, more than 70% of CRC cases are resulted from sporadic tumorigenesis and are not inherited. Since adenoma-carcinoma development is a slow process and may take up to 20 years, diet-based chemoprevention could be an effective approach in sporadic CRC. The Mediterranean diet is an example of a healthy diet pattern that consists of a combination of nutraceuticals that prevent several chronic diseases and cancer. Many epidemiological studies have shown the correlation between adherence to the Mediterranean diet and low incidence of CRC. The goal of this review is to shed the light on the anti-inflammatory and anti-colorectal cancer potentials of the natural bioactive compounds derived from the main foods in the Mediterranean diet.

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The Mediterranean diet includes the consumption of various fruits and vegetables. Lemon and ginger are highly popular in Mediterranean cuisine. The current study aims to evaluate both anticancer and immunomodulatory activities of lemon and ginger combination. The antiproliferative activities of the combination were tested against different cancer cell lines using 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. The degree of apoptosis induction and vascular endothelial growth factor expression were detected using ELISA. Balb/C mice were inoculated with the EMT6/P breast cancer cells and received combination water extract orally for 14 days. The effect of the water extract on splenocytes proliferation was measured using the mitogen proliferation assay. Macrophage function was evaluated using the nitro blue tetrazolium assay and pinocytosis was assessed using the neutral red method. Gas chromatography coupled to the tandem mass spectrometry was used to determine the composition of the combination. The lemon and ginger combination showed significant apoptosis induction and angiogenesis suppression effects. Fifty percent of the mice taking this combination did not develop tumors with a percentage of tumor reduction of 32.8%. This combination showed a potent effect in stimulating pinocytosis. Alpha-pinene and α-terpineol were detected in high percentages in the combination water extract. The lemon and ginger combination represents promising options to develop anticancer infusions for augmenting conventional anticancer therapies. Further testing is required to understand the exact molecular mechanisms of this combination.

Background: Wild thyme (Thymus serpyllum) belongs to the Lamiaceae family. They were used traditionally to treat different sorts of diseases, including cancer. Aims: The current study aims to evaluate both anticancer and immunomodulatory activities of wild thyme water extract. Methods: The antiproliferative activities of the extract were tested against different cancer cell lines using MTT assay, while the degree of apoptosis induction and VEGF expression were detected using ELISA. The lymphocyte proliferation assay was used to evaluate the acquired immunity, whereas both: nitro blue tetrazolium assay and the neutral red method were used to assess the innate activity; phagocytosis and pinocytosis, respectively. Balb/C mice were inoculated with the EMT6/P breast cancer cells and received the extract orally for 14 days. GC-MS and LC-MS were used to determine the composition of the wild thyme water extract. Results: Results showed that wild thyme had significant apoptosis induction and angiogenesis suppression effects. The extract stimulated lymphocyte proliferation, phagocytosis and pinocytosis strongly. Seventy percent (70%) of the mice taking this extract did not develop tumors, with a percentage of tumor reduction (49.4%). Rosmarinic acid was the highest in the wild thyme water extract in GC-MS and LC-MS. Conclusion: Wild thyme herbal infusion is rich in phytochemicals that have the potential to activate the immune system and inhibit tumor progression. Further testing is required to understand the exact molecular mechanisms of this extract. Further studies are also needed to test the wild thyme infusion against tumors of different types established in mice.