Protective Role of Dietary Berries in Cancer

Abstract

Dietary patterns, including regular consumption of particular foods such as berries as well as bioactive compounds, may confer specific molecular and cellular protection in addition to the overall epidemiologically observed benefits of plant food consumption (lower rates of obesity and chronic disease risk), further enhancing health. Mounting evidence reports a variety of health benefits of berry fruits that are usually attributed to their non-nutritive bioactive compounds, mainly phenolic substances such as flavonoids or anthocyanins. Although it is still unclear which particular constituents are responsible for the extended health benefits, it appears that whole berry consumption generally confers some anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory protection to humans and animals. With regards to cancer, studies have reported beneficial effects of berries or their constituents including attenuation of inflammation, inhibition of angiogenesis, protection from DNA damage, as well as effects on apoptosis or proliferation rates of malignant cells. Berries extend effects on the proliferation rates of both premalignant and malignant cells. Their effect on premalignant cells is important for their ability to cause premalignant lesions to regress both in animals and in humans. The present review focuses primarily on in vivo and human dietary studies of various berry fruits and discusses whether regular dietary intake of berries can prevent cancer initiation and delay progression in humans or ameliorate patients’ cancer status.

Intake of Anthocyanins and Gastric Cancer Risk: A Comprehensive Meta-Analysis on Cohort and Case-Control Studies

“…Besides vitamin C, other natural compounds also have bioactivities like polyphenols, flavonoids, anthocyanins and resveratrol, etc. (8,9). With the increasing focus on plant-derived polyphenols, anthocyanins have been brought into the wide concern because of their potential benefits for human health (10).…”

Circulating Interleukin-6 Level, Dietary Antioxidant Capacity, and Risk of Colorectal Cancer

“…As the result of inflammation, different types of immune cells are in the process of either tumor promoting mechanisms or anti-tumorigenic mechanisms by producing the reactive oxygen species, reactive nitrogen intermediates, cytokines, and chemokines in tumor initiation and promotion [46,47]. Among the dietary factors, numerous studies have reported that phytochemicals such as flavonoids rich in fruits and vegetables mainly contributed to regulation of immune system via production of antioxidants and scavenging activity [48][49][50]. Previous epidemiological studies have reported the associations between dietary antioxidants and cancer suggesting the role of the inflammation [50,51].…”

Phytochemicals based chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic strategies and modern technologies to overcome limitations for better clinical applications

“…Similar to other phytochemicals, berries also possess antioxidant, anticancer, neuroprotective, and antiinflammatory effects (Joseph, Edirisinghe, & Burton-Freeman, 2014). Antiangiogenic and proapoptotic role of berries has also been demonstrated in vitro (George & Abrahamse, 2019;Kristo et al, 2016;Seeram et al, 2006). Berry extract has been shown to inhibit the growth of human colon (HT-29, HCT116), prostate carcinoma (LNCaP), breast cancer (MCF-7), and oral cancer (KB and CAL27) cells.…”

“…Berries are widely consumed in our diet and have sought attention due to their potential benefits on human health (Miller, Feucht, & Schmid, ; Pan et al, ). Berries are being investigated for their potential chemopreventive effects as well as a protective role against various types of chronic diseases (Kristo, Klimis‐Zacas, & Sikalidis, ; Stoner, ). Berries may have different constituent phenolic compound such as anthocyanins, flavanols, flavonols, ellagitannins, proanthocyanidins, and phenolic acids (Seeram, ; Afrin et al, ).…”