Downregulation of Reactive Oxygen Species in Apoptosis

Abstract

Generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by diverse anti-cancer drugs or phytochemicals has been closely related with the induction of apoptosis in cancers. Also, the downregulation of ROS by these chemicals has been found to block initiation of carcinogenesis. Therefore, modulation of ROS by phytochemicals emerges as a crucial mechanism to regulate apoptosis in cancer prevention or therapy. This review summarizes the current understanding of the selected chemical compounds and related cellular components that modulate ROS during apoptotic process. Metformin, quercetin, curcumin, vitamin C, and other compounds have been shown to downregulate ROS in the cellular apoptotic process, and some of them even induce apoptosis in cancer cells. The cellular components mediating the downregulation of ROS include nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 antioxidant signaling pathway, thioredoxin, catalase, glutathione, heme oxygenase-1, and uncoupling proteins. The present review provides information on the relationship between these compounds and the cellular components in modulating ROS in apoptotic cancer cells.

CD38 enhances the proliferation and inhibits the apoptosis of cervical cancer cells by affecting the mitochondria functions

“…43,44 The increase of ROSs is often observed in cell apoptosis progress and the upregulation of ROSs can be an indication of apoptosis. 45 In our study, we discovered a down-regulation of ROS levels when we overexpressed CD38. This indicates that CD38 may inhibit cell apoptosis in cervical cancer cells via influence on ROS levels.…”

“…Besides, reactive oxygen species (ROSs) play a vital role in numerous cellular biological activities including proliferation, apoptosis, and metastasis . The increase of ROSs is often observed in cell apoptosis progress and the upregulation of ROSs can be an indication of apoptosis . In our study, we discovered a down‐regulation of ROS levels when we overexpressed CD38.…”

Effects of supplementation of medium with different antioxidants during in vitro maturation of bovine oocytes on subsequent embryo production

“…Supplementation with quercetin, resveratrol or vitamin C during in vitro maturation might act as a defence mechanism against ROS and also may contribute to maintain the GSH system (Jeong & Joo, ; Kovacic & Somanathan, ; Padayatty et al., ; Wang et al., ). However, even with reduction in intracellular ROS levels with these antioxidants, which was detected in the present study, increase in GSH levels was not observed.…”

“…Supplementation with quercetin, resveratrol or vitamin C during in vitro maturation might act as a defence mechanism against ROS and also may contribute to maintain the GSH system (Jeong & Joo, 2016;Kovacic & Somanathan, 2010;Padayatty et al, 2003;Wang et al, 2014).…”

“…These flavonoids are produced by the interaction of plants with a microorganism to protect them against fungal and bacterial infections (Kang et al., ; Kwak et al., ; Langcake, Cornford, & Pryce, ). The use of quercetin and resveratrol to avoid oxidative stress in vivo and in vitro has been shown in several studies (Jeong & Joo, ; Kovacic & Somanathan, ; Wang et al., ). The antioxidant action is given in three different stages: upon initiation by interaction with superoxide ions, during formation of hydroxyl radicals by scavenging iron ions and lipid peroxidation by reacting with lipid peroxide radicals (Afanas’ ev, Dcrozhko, Brodskii, Kostyuk, & Potapovitch, ).…”