The Mediterranean Diet, a Rich Source of Angiopreventive Compounds in Cancer

Abstract

Diet-based chemoprevention of cancer has emerged as an interesting approach to evade the disease or even target its early phases, reducing its incidence or slowing down tumor progression. In its basis in the essential role of angiogenesis for tumor growth and metastasis, angioprevention proposes the use of inhibitors of angiogenesis in cancer prevention. The anti-angiogenic potential exhibited by many natural compounds contained in many Mediterranean diet constituents makes this dietary pattern especially interesting as a source of chemopreventive agents, defined within the angioprevention strategy. In this review, we focus on natural bioactive compounds derived from the main foods included in the Mediterranean diet that display anti-angiogenic activity, as well as their possible use as angiopreventive agents.

New Perspectives of CYP1B1 Inhibitors in the Light of Molecular Studies

“…Progress of cancer depends on the activation of pathways leading to inflammation and angiogenesis [50][51][52]. Many phytochemicals exert anti-inflammatory and anti-angiogenic activities [53][54][55]. Most of these compounds, like flavonoids, furanocoumarins, chalcones, stilbenoids, anthraquinones, and alkaloids, are also potent and specific inhibitors of CYP1B1 activity [56,57].…”

Mediterranean diet: a nutrient‐packed diet and a healthy lifestyle for a sustainable world

“…To date, numerous scientific studies have shown that the MD protects from cardiovascular diseases 54–59 and certain types of cancer, 60–63 increases longevity, enables healthy aging 64‐70 and improves mental health and quality of life. Immunity boosting by adherence to an MD lifestyle is also reported by several authors, 71,72 as well as the diet's positive effects on metabolic syndrome and obesity, 73–78 diabetes 56,79–81 and hypertension.…”

Index-based dietary patterns in relation to gastric cancer risk: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…The Mediterranean dietary pattern (MDP), which is characterised by a high intake of vegetables, fruits, legumes, non-refined cereals, nuts, olive oil, moderate intake of fish and dairy products and low intake of red meat, could prevent gastric cancer. Because these ingredients containing an abundance of antioxidants could reduce DNA damage, they could also reduce H. pylori infection (19) and inhibit the angiogenesis process of tumours (20) . The DII, however, could reflect the inflammatory effect caused by diet (21) , which was a key process in gastric cancer initiation and progression (22) .…”