Title:Endoplasmic Reticulum as a Therapeutic Target in Cancer: Is there
a Role for Flavonoids?
Volume: 24
Issue: 3
Author(s): Ava Aghakhani, Mehrnoush Baradaran Hezave, Asma Rasouli, Masoumeh Saberi Rounkian, Fatemeh Soleimanlou, Arian Alhani, Nasim Sabet Eqlidi, Maryam Pirani, Saba Mehrtabar, Nasibeh Zerangian, Asiyeh Pormehr-Yabandeh, Kimia Keylani, Neda Tizro and Niloofar Deravi*
Affiliation:
- Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Keywords:
Flavonoid, endoplasmic reticulum, ER stress, cancer, malignancy, tumor.
Abstract: Flavonoids are classified into subclasses of polyphenols, a multipurpose
category of natural compounds which comprises secondary metabolites extracted from
vascular plants and are plentiful in the human diet. Although the details of flavonoid
mechanisms are still not realized correctly, they are generally regarded as antimicrobial,
anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative; anti-mutagenic; anti-neoplastic;
anti-aging; anti-diabetic, cardio-protective, etc. The anti-cancer properties of flavonoids
are evident in functions such as prevention of proliferation, metastasis, invasion, inflammation
and activation of cell death. Tumors growth and enlargement expose cells to
acidosis, hypoxia, and lack of nutrients which result in endoplasmic reticulum (ER)
stress; it triggers the unfolded protein response (UPR), which reclaims homeostasis or
activates autophagy. Steady stimulation of ER stress can switch autophagy to apoptosis.
The connection between ER stress and cancer, in association with UPR, has been
explained. The signals provided by UPR can activate or inhibit anti-apoptotic or apoptotic
pathways depending on the period and grade of ER stress. In this review, we will
peruse the link between flavonoids and their impact on the endoplasmic reticulum in
association with cancer therapy.
