Bioactive Phenolic Compounds in the Modulation of Central and Peripheral Nervous System Cancers: Facts and Misdeeds

Abstract

Efficacious therapies are not available for the cure of both gliomas and glioneuronal tumors, which represent the most numerous and heterogeneous primary cancers of the central nervous system (CNS), and for neoplasms of the peripheral nervous system (PNS), which can be divided into benign tumors, mainly represented by schwannomas and neurofibromas, and malignant tumors of the peripheral nerve sheath (MPNST). Increased cellular oxidative stress and other metabolic aspects have been reported as potential etiologies in the nervous system tumors. Thus polyphenols have been tested as effective natural compounds likely useful for the prevention and therapy of this group of neoplasms, because of their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. However, polyphenols show poor intestinal absorption due to individual intestinal microbiota content, poor bioavailability, and difficulty in passing the blood–brain barrier (BBB). Recently, polymeric nanoparticle-based polyphenol delivery improved their gastrointestinal absorption, their bioavailability, and entry into defined target organs. Herein, we summarize recent findings about the primary polyphenols employed for nervous system tumor prevention and treatment. We describe the limitations of their application in clinical practice and the new strategies aimed at enhancing their bioavailability and targeted delivery.

Understanding the Biological Activities of Vitamin D in Type 1 Neurofibromatosis: New Insights into Disease Pathogenesis and Therapeutic Design

“…It would also be interesting to explore a large variety of dietary supplementation based on the combination of vitamin D with other healthful agents—for example, polyphenols, known to exert neuroprotective functions [ 449 , 450 , 451 ]—with the aim to test possible synergistic effects.…”

Curcumin and Quercetin-Loaded Nanoemulsions: Physicochemical Compatibility Study and Validation of a Simultaneous Quantification Method

“…The therapeutic potential of both CUR and QU is, however, further restricted by their poor stability in the physiological environment. The use of innovative nanotechnology-based formulations has been proposed in many studies with the aim of improving the bioavailability of natural compounds similar to CUR and QU [14][15][16]. Indeed, various nanocarrier systems have been demonstrated to provide interesting therapeutic benefits according to the nanocarrier properties, and the loaded pharmacologically active compound [17][18][19].…”

Chitosan Nanoparticles Potentiate the in vitro and in vivo Effects of Curcumin and other Natural Compounds

“…Phenolic compounds have been used in search for new alternatives for several disease treatments, such as cancer [65], inflammatory [66] and central nervous system illness [67]. Despite attractive results, it is still necessary to overcome delivery and bioavailability limitations of these drugs [68,69]. In this respect, CS nanoparticles have been used to potentiate their biological activities [70].…”