Limonoids as cancer chemopreventive agents

Abstract

Nutritional research on the health benefits of substances in plant foods has recently advanced to a new stage. The research frontier has moved from study of classical vitamin deficiency diseases to study of the thousands of phytochemicals that may have important physiological effects. Recent research suggests that citrus fruit consumers may be getting another health benefit from orange juice and other citrus products called limonoids, which appear to possess substantial anticancer activity. Limonoids are highly oxidized triterpenes present in Rutaceae and Maliaceae families. Several citrus limonoids have recently been subjected to anticancer screening utilizing laboratory animals and human breast cancer cells. The experimental results described that citrus limonoids may provide substantial anticancer actions. The compounds have been shown to be free of toxic effects in animal models, so potential exists for the use of limonoids against human cancer in either natural fruits, in citrus fortified with limonoids, or in purified forms of specific limonoids. Although the initial studies are very promising they have been conducted primarily with in vitro cell culture and animal models. Thus, research is needed to determine whether the limonoids may be useful in preventing or treating cancer in humans.

Characterization of Essential Oil from Citrus aurantium L. Flowers: Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activities

“…In this regard, a growing rate of research was conducted on many plant species in order to find new possess bioactivities such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and is suggested to be responsible for the prevention of cancer and degenerative diseases 7 . Those bioactivities of citrus are due to the presence of bioactive compounds such as phenolics, flavonoids, essential oil, and vitamins 8 . Among people living in the north of Iran, bloom…”

Phytochemicals and functional foods. Current situation and prospect for developing countries

“…Recent research suggests that these compounds may have substantial anticancer activity. However, these studies have been conducted primarily in in vitro and animal models, requiring further human studies to confirm such action (Ejaz et al, 2006) Berries Berries are not only delicious, low energy food, but also rich sources of fiber, antioxidant vitamins and various phenolic compounds (flavonoids and phenolic acids). The main classes of flavonoids in berries are anthocyanins, proanthocyanidins, flavonols and catechins (Wang et al, 1997).…”

Fast Determination of Naringin and Hesperidin in Natural and Commercial Citrus Juices by HPLC Method

“…They have been reported to have anti-inflammatory, antiulcer and antiallergenic properties [2]. Several epidemiological studies show that there is an inverse effect between intake of flavonoids and the risk of hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, different types of cancer and metabolic syndrome [3][4][5].…”