Diet Therapy for Cancer Prevention and Treatment Based on Traditional Persian Medicine

Abstract

Cancer is the second leading cause of death with profound socio-economic consequences worldwide. Growing evidence suggests the crucial role of diet on cancer prevention and treatment. In Traditional Persian Medicine (TPM) there is a major focus on contribution of special diet and foods to cancer management. In the present article, the cytotoxic and antitumor activities of several food items including plants and animal products recommended by TPM as anticancer agents are discussed. Strong evidence supports the anticancer effects of beetroot (Beta vulgris) and its major compound betanin, cinnamon and cinnamaldehyde, barley (H. vulgare) and its products, extra-virgin olive oil, black pepper (P. nigrum) and its piperine, grapes (V. vinifera) and its compound resveratrol, ginger and its compound 6-gingerol, whey protein, fish, and honey. However, additional pharmacological studies and clinical trials are needed to elucidate their molecular and cellular mechanisms of actions, frequency, and amount of consumption, possible adverse effects, and optimum preparation methods. Moreover, studying mechanisms of actions of the bioactive compounds present in the discussed food items can be helpful in identifying and development of new anticancer agents.

Beetroot as a Potential Functional Food for Cancer Chemoprevention, a Narrative Review

“…Some recent clinical studies have also indicated the usefulness of beetroot in managing blood pressure and cardiovascular health [3][4][5][6]. Beetroot has also gained popularity as a supplement to boost energy and improve performance in athletes [7][8][9][10].Interestingly, in the Traditional Persian Medicine practices, beetroot is one of the foods used in the prevention and managing of metastatic progression of cancer [11]. It is also widely used in other medicinal systems including the Arab, traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine.…”

“…Interestingly, in the Traditional Persian Medicine practices, beetroot is one of the foods used in the prevention and managing of metastatic progression of cancer [11]. It is also widely used in other medicinal systems including the Arab, traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine.…”

Beetroot as a functional food with huge health benefits: Antioxidant, antitumor, physical function, and chronic metabolomics activity

“…Cancer remains one of the leading causes of human death in the world. According to reports, there were 17.5 million cancer patients existing in 2015 (Javadi, 2018 ). At present, conventional interventions such as chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation are often used to help cancer patients get rid of the disease (Dennert & Horneber, 2006 ).…”

The isolation, structural characterization, and anticancer activity from the aerial parts of Cymbopogon flexuosus

“…Antioxidant results have a prominent role in many human diseases including cancer, diabetic complications, liver damage, and Alzheimer’s disease (Liang et al, ). Growing evidence suggests the crucial role of diet on cancer prevention and treatment, contributing to the management cancer through special diet and foods (Javadi, ).…”