Cancer Chemoprevention by Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine and Dietary Phytochemicals: Targeting Nrf2-Mediated Oxidative Stress/Anti-Inflammatory Responses, Epigenetics, and Cancer Stem Cells

Excessive oxidative stress induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS), reactive nitrogen species (RNS), and reactive metabolites of carcinogens alters cellular homeostasis, leading to genetic/epigenetic changes, genomic instability, neoplastic transformation, and cancer initiation/progression. As a protective mechanism against oxidative stress, antioxidant/detoxifying enzymes reduce these reactive species and protect normal cells from endo-/exogenous oxidative damage. The transcription factor nuclear factor-erythroid 2 p45 (NF-E2)-related factor 2 (Nrf2), a master regulator of the antioxidative stress response, plays a critical role in the expression of many cytoprotective enzymes, including NAD(P)H:quinine oxidoreductase (NQO1), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT), and glutathione S-transferase (GST). Recent studies demonstrated that many dietary phytochemicals derived from various vegetables, fruits, spices, and herbal medicines induce Nrf2-mediated antioxidant/detoxifying enzymes, restore aberrant epigenetic alterations, and eliminate cancer stem cells (CSCs). The Nrf2-mediated antioxidant response prevents many age-related diseases, including cancer. Owing to their fundamental contribution to carcinogenesis, epigenetic modifications and CSCs are novel targets of dietary phytochemicals and traditional Chinese herbal medicine (TCHM). In this review, we summarize cancer chemoprevention by dietary phytochemicals, including TCHM, which have great potential as a safer and more effective strategy for preventing cancer.

• Publication year

  2013

• Venue

  Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine

• Publication date

  2013-01-01

• Fields of study

  Biology, Medicine, Chemistry, Environmental Science

• Identifiers
  DOI 10.4103/2225-4110.107700PMID 24716158PMCID 3924975
• External record

  Open on Semantic Scholar

• Source metadata

  Semantic Scholar, PubMed

• No claims are published for this paper.

• No concepts are published for this paper.

• Plants Against Cancer: A Review on Natural Phytochemicals in Preventing and Treating Cancers and Their Druggability

  2014cited by this paper
• Dietary phytochemicals and cancer prevention: Nrf2 signaling, epigenetics, and cell death mechanisms in blocking cancer initiation and progression.

  2013cited by this paper
• Dietary tocopherols inhibit cell proliferation, regulate expression of ERα, PPARγ, and Nrf2, and decrease serum inflammatory markers during the development of mammary hyperplasia

  2013cited by this paper
• Cancer chemoprevention and nutriepigenetics: state of the art and future challenges.

  2013cited by this paper
• Prx I Suppresses K-ras-Driven Lung Tumorigenesis by Opposing Redox-Sensitive ERK/Cyclin D1 Pathway

  2013cited by this paper
• A perspective on dietary phytochemicals and cancer chemoprevention: oxidative stress, nrf2, and epigenomics.

  2013cited by this paper
• Schisandrin B exhibits anti-inflammatory activity through modulation of the redox-sensitive transcription factors Nrf2 and NF-κB.

  2012cited by this paper
• Extract of Salvia miltiorrhiza (Danshen) induces Nrf2-mediated heme oxygenase-1 expression as a cytoprotective action in RAW 264.7 macrophages.

  2012cited by this paper
• Epigallocathechin gallate, polyphenol present in green tea, inhibits stem-like characteristics and epithelial-mesenchymal transition in nasopharyngeal cancer cell lines

  2012cited by this paper
• Epigenetic impact of dietary polyphenols in cancer chemoprevention: lifelong remodeling of our epigenomes.

  2012cited by this paper
• Cancer stem cells: potential target for bioactive food components.

  2012influential reference
• Sonic Hedgehog Signaling Inhibition Provides Opportunities for Targeted Therapy by Sulforaphane in Regulating Pancreatic Cancer Stem Cell Self-Renewal

  2012cited by this paper
• Induction of Phase 2 Antioxidant Enzymes by Broccoli Sulforaphane: Perspectives in Maintaining the Antioxidant Activity of Vitamins A, C, and E

  2012cited by this paper
• Eriodictyol protects against H(2)O(2)-induced neuron-like PC12 cell death through activation of Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway.

  2012cited by this paper
• Causes and Consequences of MicroRNA Dysregulation

  2012cited by this paper
• Ginsenoside F2 induces apoptosis accompanied by protective autophagy in breast cancer stem cells.

  2012influential reference
• Berberine induces heme oxygenase-1 up-regulation through phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/AKT and NF-E2-related factor-2 signaling pathway in astrocytes.

  2012cited by this paper
• Pharmacodynamics of ginsenosides: antioxidant activities, activation of Nrf2, and potential synergistic effects of combinations.

  2012cited by this paper
• Cytoprotective Effect of 20(S)-Rg3 on Benzo[a]pyrene-Induced DNA Damage

  2012cited by this paper
• EGCG suppresses prostate cancer cell growth modulating acetylation of androgen receptor by anti-histone acetyltransferase activity.

  2012cited by this paper
• Induction of heme oxygenase-1 by Macleaya cordata extract and its constituent sanguinarine in RAW264.7 cells.

  2012cited by this paper
• Gene expression profiling and pathway network analysis of hepatic metabolic enzymes targeted by baicalein.

  2012cited by this paper
• Emerging roles for modulation of microRNA signatures in cancer chemoprevention.

  2012cited by this paper
• Brief historical overview and recent progress on cytochromes P450: adaptation of aerobic organisms to their chemical environment and new mechanisms of prodrug bioactivation.

  2011cited by this paper
• Frequent and Simultaneous Epigenetic Inactivation of TP53 Pathway Genes in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

  2011cited by this paper
• Epigenetic CpG Demethylation of the Promoter and Reactivation of the Expression of Neurog1 by Curcumin in Prostate LNCaP Cells

  2011cited by this paper
• Discovery of Molecular Mechanisms of Traditional Chinese Medicinal Formula Si-Wu-Tang Using Gene Expression Microarray and Connectivity Map

  2011cited by this paper
• Regulation of chromatin by histone modifications

  2011cited by this paper
• 23-Hydroxytormentic acid and niga-ichgoside f₁ isolated from Rubus coreanus attenuate cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity by reducing oxidative stress in renal epithelial LLC-PK₁ cells.

  2011cited by this paper
• Pharmacodynamics of curcumin as DNA hypomethylation agent in restoring the expression of Nrf2 via promoter CpGs demethylation.

  2011cited by this paper
• Molecular Pathways for Cancer Chemoprevention by Dietary Phytochemicals

  2011influential reference
• The Role of Vitamins in Cancer: A Review

  2011cited by this paper
• Superoxide Dismutases: Role in Redox Signaling, Vascular Function, and Diseases

  2011cited by this paper
• Suppression of proliferation and oxidative stress by extracts of Ganoderma lucidum in the ovarian cancer cell line OVCAR-3.

  2011cited by this paper
• Cancer epigenetics: above and beyond

  2011cited by this paper
• Sulforaphane, a Dietary Component of Broccoli/Broccoli Sprouts, Inhibits Breast Cancer Stem Cells

  2010cited by this paper
• Epigenetics in cancer.

  2010cited by this paper
• The dietary bioflavonoid quercetin synergizes with epigallocathechin gallate (EGCG) to inhibit prostate cancer stem cell characteristics, invasion, migration and epithelial-mesenchymal transition

  2010cited by this paper
• Epigenetic targets of bioactive dietary components for cancer prevention and therapy

  2010cited by this paper
• Reversal of hypermethylation and reactivation of the RARβ2 gene by natural compounds in cervical cancer cell lines.

  2010cited by this paper
• The Nrf2 System as a Potential Target for the Development of Indirect Antioxidants

  2010cited by this paper
• The glutathione system and its regulation by neurohormone melatonin in the central nervous system.

  2010cited by this paper
• The Roles of MicroRNAs in the Cancer Invasion-Metastasis Cascade

  2010cited by this paper
• Cell responses to oxidative stressors.

  2010cited by this paper
• Molecular pathways linking inflammation and cancer.

  2010cited by this paper
• Up-regulation of Nrf2-mediated heme oxygenase-1 expression by eckol, a phlorotannin compound, through activation of Erk and PI3K/Akt.

  2010cited by this paper
• Targeting breast stem cells with the cancer preventive compounds curcumin and piperine

  2010influential reference
• The protective effects of Acanthopanax senticosus Harms aqueous extracts against oxidative stress: role of Nrf2 and antioxidant enzymes.

  2010cited by this paper
• Anticancer and anti-inflammatory effects of cysteine metabolites of the green tea polyphenol, (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate.

  2010cited by this paper
• Metals, oxidative stress and neurodegenerative disorders

  2010cited by this paper
• Regulation of NF-E2-Related Factor 2 Signaling for Cancer Chemoprevention: Antioxidant Coupled with Antiinflammatory

  2010cited by this paper
• The Lmo2 Oncogene Initiates Leukemia in Mice by Inducing Thymocyte Self-Renewal

  2010cited by this paper
• Epigenetic analysis in the search for tumor suppressor genes.

  2010influential reference
• Cancer chemoprevention by dietary polyphenols: promising role for epigenetics.

  2010influential reference
• Cancer-related inflammation, the seventh hallmark of cancer: links to genetic instability.

  2009cited by this paper
• Catalase delivery for inhibiting ROS-mediated tissue injury and tumor metastasis.

  2009cited by this paper
• Anti-NF-kappaB and anti-inflammatory activities of synthetic isothiocyanates: effect of chemical structures and cellular signaling.

  2009cited by this paper
• MicroRNA‐122, a tumor suppressor microRNA that regulates intrahepatic metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma

  2009cited by this paper
• Molecular mechanisms of Nrf2‐mediated antioxidant response

  2009cited by this paper
• Dietary feeding of dibenzoylmethane inhibits prostate cancer in transgenic adenocarcinoma of the mouse prostate model.

  2009cited by this paper
• Epigallocatechin-3-gallate, a histone acetyltransferase inhibitor, inhibits EBV-induced B lymphocyte transformation via suppression of RelA acetylation.

  2009cited by this paper
• Genistein inhibits growth of human uveal melanoma cells and affects microRNA-27a and target gene expression.

  2009cited by this paper
• Retinoid signaling regulates breast cancer stem cell differentiation

  2009cited by this paper
• Heterogeneity in cancer: cancer stem cells versus clonal evolution.

  2009cited by this paper
• Role of Nrf2 in prevention of high-fat diet-induced obesity by synthetic triterpenoid CDDO-imidazolide.

  2009cited by this paper
• Epigenetic modulation of the retinoid X receptor α by green tea in the azoxymethane‐ApcMin/+ mouse model of intestinal cancer

  2009cited by this paper
• Phosphorylation of Nrf2 at Multiple Sites by MAP Kinases Has a Limited Contribution in Modulating the Nrf2-Dependent Antioxidant Response

  2009cited by this paper
• Molecular phenotyping of human ovarian cancer stem cells unravels the mechanisms for repair and chemoresistance

  2009cited by this paper
• γ‐Tocopherol‐enriched mixed tocopherol diet inhibits prostate carcinogenesis in TRAMP mice

  2009cited by this paper
• Epigallocatechin-3-gallate augments antioxidant activities and inhibits inflammation during bleomycin-induced experimental pulmonary fibrosis through Nrf2-Keap1 signaling.

  2009cited by this paper
• Modulation of microRNA associated with ovarian cancer cells by genistein.

  2009cited by this paper
• Review of azacitidine trials in Intermediate-2-and High-risk myelodysplastic syndromes.

  2009cited by this paper
• Causes and consequences of microRNA dysregulation in cancer

  2009cited by this paper
• Identification of cells initiating human melanomas

  2009cited by this paper
• Targeting DNA Methylation

  2009cited by this paper
• Regulation of Mammary Stem/Progenitor Cells by PTEN/Akt/β-Catenin Signaling

  2009cited by this paper
• Nrf2 plays an important role in coordinated regulation of Phase II drug metabolism enzymes and Phase III drug transporters.

  2009cited by this paper
• Nuclear factor-kappaB activation: from bench to bedside.

  2008cited by this paper
• Sulforaphane suppressed LPS-induced inflammation in mouse peritoneal macrophages through Nrf2 dependent pathway.

  2008cited by this paper
• Mechanism of phytoestrogen puerarin-mediated cytoprotection following oxidative injury: estrogen receptor-dependent up-regulation of PI3K/Akt and HO-1.

  2008cited by this paper
• De-repression of the p21 promoter in prostate cancer cells by an isothiocyanate via inhibition of HDACs and c-Myc.

  2008cited by this paper
• Epigenetics in cancer.

  2008cited by this paper
• Retracted: Genistein mediated histone acetylation and demethylation activates tumor suppressor genes in prostate cancer cells

  2008cited by this paper
• DNA methylation as a therapeutic target in cancer.

  2008cited by this paper
• Murine Prostate Cancer Inhibition by Dietary Phytochemicals—Curcumin and Phenyethylisothiocyanate

  2008cited by this paper
• Angelica sinensis and its alkylphthalides induce the detoxification enzyme NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase 1 by alkylating Keap1.

  2008cited by this paper
• Identification of cells initiating human melanomas

  2008cited by this paper
• Dual roles of Nrf2 in cancer.

  2008cited by this paper
• A review of dietary factors and its influence on DNA methylation in colorectal carcinogenesis

  2008cited by this paper
• Phase 1 study of the oral isotype specific histone deacetylase inhibitor MGCD0103 in leukemia.

  2008cited by this paper
• Discovery of agents that eradicate leukemia stem cells using an in silico screen of public gene expression data.

  2008cited by this paper
• Stem cell concepts renew cancer research.

  2008cited by this paper
• Genistein induces the p21WAF1/CIP1 and p16INK4a tumor suppressor genes in prostate cancer cells by epigenetic mechanisms involving active chromatin modification.

  2008cited by this paper
• Phenotypic characterization of human colorectal cancer stem cells

  2007cited by this paper
• Chromatin modifications and their function.

  2007cited by this paper
• Inflammation in prostate carcinogenesis

  2007cited by this paper
• An orally bioavailable parthenolide analog selectively eradicates acute myelogenous leukemia stem and progenitor cells.

  2007cited by this paper
• Nuclear Factor-jB Activation: From Bench to Bedside

  2007cited by this paper
• Induction of Drug-Metabolizing Enzymes by Garlic and Allyl Sulfide Compounds via Activation of Constitutive Androstane Receptor and Nuclear Factor E2-Related Factor 2

  2007cited by this paper
• The complex language of chromatin regulation during transcription

  2007cited by this paper

• Redox-Guided Epigenetic Signaling in Cancer: miRNA–DNMT Feedback Loops as Epigenetic Memory Modulates

  2026cites this paper
• Traditional Chinese Medicine Treatment of Thyroid Cancer: A Review

  2025cites this paper
• Using a combination of in vitro and in silico approaches to explore the biological potential of Arceuthobium oxycedri extracts: innovative insights from the lab to functional applications

  2025cites this paper
• Prevention of Chromium-Induced Radiation-Chemical Oncogenesis, Including in Offspring, in an Experimental Model: A Systematic Review

  2025cites this paper
• Cephalotaxus‐Derived Homoharringtonine: Biosynthesis, Mechanism of Action, and Role in Modern Cancer Therapy

  2025cites this paper
• Prospects of compounds of herbal plants as anticancer agents: a comprehensive review from molecular pathways

  2024cites this paper
• Carboxylic Acids as Activators of NRF2: Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Effects.

  2024cites this paper
• Ganoderma lucidum triterpenoids investigating their role in medicinal applications and genomic protection.

  2024cites this paper
• Antitumor Effect of Si-Jun-Zi Decoction on SGC7901 Gastric Cancer Cells by CMTM2 Activation

  2022cites this paper
• Epigenetic targeting of cancer stem cells by polyphenols (cancer stem cells targeting)

  2021cites this paper
• Modern approaches on stem cells and scaffolding technology for osteogenic differentiation and regeneration

  2021cites this paper
• Genistein as a dietary supplement; formulation, analysis and pharmacokinetics study

  2021cites this paper
• Schizandrin B attenuates hypoxia/reoxygenation injury in H9c2 cells by activating the AMPK/Nrf2 signaling pathway

  2021cites this paper
• Exposure to benzo[a]pyrene triggers distinct patterns of microRNA transcriptional profiles in aquatic firefly Aquatica wuhana (Coleoptera: Lampyridae).

  2020cites this paper
• Essential Oil Phytocomplex Activity, a Review with a Focus on Multivariate Analysis for a Network Pharmacology-Informed Phytogenomic Approach

  2020cites this paper
• Bioflavonoids cause DNA double-strand breaks and chromosomal translocations through topoisomerase II-dependent and -independent mechanisms.

  2020cites this paper
• DIETARY PHYTOCHEMICALS ON ELIMINATION OF CANCER STEM CELLS THROUGH TARGETING ITS QUIESCENCE AND SURVIVAL MECHANISMS

  2020cites this paper
• Role of Nrf2 and mitochondria in cancer stem cells; in carcinogenesis, tumor progression, and chemoresistance.

  2020cites this paper
• Supplemental Herbal Choline Increases 5-hmC DNA on Whole Blood from Pregnant Ewes and Offspring

  2020cites this paper
• Effects of dietary Antrodia cinnamomea fermented product supplementation on metabolism pathways of antioxidant, inflammatory, and lipid metabolism pathways-a potential crosstalk

  2019cites this paper
• Ginsenosides, catechins, quercetin and gut microbiota: Current evidence of challenging interactions.

  2019cites this paper
• Isothiocyanates, Epigenetics, and Cancer Prevention

  2019cites this paper
• Dendrobium Officinale Polysaccharides Protect against MNNG-Induced PLGC in Rats via Activating the NRF2 and Antioxidant Enzymes HO-1 and NQO-1

  2019cites this paper
• Annona muricata fruit extract protects against diethylnitrosamine-induced hepatocellular cancer in rats

  2019cites this paper
• Effects of Gut Microbiota on the Bioavailability of Bioactive Compounds from Ginkgo Leaf Extracts

  2019cites this paper
• Bioactive Immunomodulatory Compounds: A Novel Combinatorial Strategy for Integrated Medicine in Oncology? BAIC Exposure in Cancer Cells

  2019cites this paper
• DNA methylation as the most important content of epigenetics in traditional Chinese herbal medicine

  2019cites this paper
• The Neuroprotective Effect of Nasturtium officinale on Learning Ability and Density of Parvalbumin Neurons in the Hippocampus of Neurodegenerative- Induced Mice Model

  2019cites this paper
• Novel Neohesperidin Dihydrochalcone Analogue Inhibits Adipogenic Differentiation of Human Adipose-Derived Stem Cells through the Nrf2 Pathway

  2018cites this paper
• Chrysophanol inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis through NF-κB/cyclin D1 and NF-κB/Bcl-2 signaling cascade in breast cancer cell lines

  2018cites this paper
• Effect of T-2 toxin and antioxidants on angel wing incidence and severity in White Roman geese

  2018cites this paper
• Evaluation of potential antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory effects of Antrodia cinnamomea powder and the underlying molecular mechanisms via Nrf2‐ and NF‐&kgr;B‐dominated pathways in broiler chickens

  2018cites this paper
• Antioxidant molecular targets of wheat bran fermented by white rot fungi and its potential modulation of antioxidative status in broiler chickens

  2017influential citation
• Clinical Perspectives in Diagnostic-omics and Personalized Medicine Approach to Monitor Effectiveness and Toxicity of Phytocomplexes

  2017cites this paper
• Brassica-Derived Plant Bioactives as Modulators of Chemopreventive and Inflammatory Signaling Pathways

  2017cites this paper
• Anticancer Natural Compounds as Epigenetic Modulators of Gene Expression

  2017cites this paper
• Epigenetic Mechanisms of Integrative Medicine

  2017cites this paper
• CIL-102-Induced Cell Cycle Arrest and Apoptosis in Colorectal Cancer Cells via Upregulation of p21 and GADD45

  2017cites this paper
• Green Tea Catechins for Prostate Cancer Prevention: Present Achievements and Future Challenges

  2017influential citation
• Epigenetic CpG Methylation of the Promoter and Reactivation of the Expression of GSTP1 by Astaxanthin in Human Prostate LNCaP Cells

  2016cites this paper
• The cytoprotective effect of isorhamnetin against oxidative stress is mediated by the upregulation of the Nrf2-dependent HO-1 expression in C2C12 myoblasts through scavenging reactive oxygen species and ERK inactivation.

  2016cites this paper
• Methylation of the Promoter and Reactivation of the Expression of GSTP 1 by Astaxanthin in Human Prostate LNCaP Cells

  2016cites this paper
• Jacobs Journal of Internal Medicine The Systems Biology Oriented, Holistic Vision of Personalized Medicine and The Emerging Concept of Proactive Herbal Medicine

  2015cites this paper
• How Phytochemicals Prevent Chemical Carcinogens and/or Suppress Tumor Growth?

  2015cites this paper
• Dietary Glucosinolates Sulforaphane, Phenethyl Isothiocyanate, Indole-3-Carbinol/3,3′-Diindolylmethane: Antioxidative Stress/Inflammation, Nrf2, Epigenetics/Epigenomics and In Vivo Cancer Chemopreventive Efficacy

  2015cites this paper
• Use of Omics Approaches for Developing Immune‐Modulatory and Anti‐Inflammatory Phytomedicines

  2015cites this paper
• Taxifolin Exerts Cytoprotective Effect by Activation of Nrf2-ARE Signaling Pathway in HepG2 cells

  2014cites this paper
• Schisandra chinensis regulates drug metabolizing enzymes and drug transporters via activation of Nrf2-mediated signaling pathway

  2014cites this paper