Alkaloidal extract from Carica papaya seeds ameliorates CCl4-induced hepatocellular carcinoma in rats

Plant-based foods and hepatocellular carcinoma: A review on mechanistic understanding

Regardless of etiology, hepatocarcinogenesis is frequently preceded by a distinctive sequence of chronic necroinflammation, compensatory hepatic regeneration, development of hepatic fibrosis, and ultimately cirrhosis. The liver being central immunomodulators, closely maintains immunotolerance. Any dysregulation in this management of immunotolerance is a hallmark of chronic hepatic disease and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Apart from other malignancies, hepatocellular carcinoma accounts for 90% of liver cancers. Several emerging evidences have recognized diet as lifestyle associated risk factor in HCC development. However, natural compounds have the potential to fight hepatoma aggressiveness via inhibition of cellular proliferation and modulation of oncogenic pathways. This review aimed to identify the several plant-based foods for their protective role in HCC prevention by understating the molecular mechanisms involved in inhibition of progression and proliferation of cancer. Information from relevant publications in which several plant-based foods demonstrated protective potential against HCC has been integrated as well as evaluated. For data integration, Science direct, Google scholar, and Scopus websites were used. Nutrition-based approaches in the deterrence of several cancers offer a substantial benefit to currently used medical therapies and should be implemented more often as an adjunct to first-line medical therapy. Furthermore, the inclusion of these plant-based foods (vegetables, fruits, herbs, and spices) may improve general health and decline cancer incidence.

Papaya (Carica papaya L.) for cancer prevention: Progress and promise

Cancer is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality across the globe. Emerging evidence suggests that consumption of a well-balanced diet containing a wide variety of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains can prevent the development of, halt, or reverse cancer progression. Carica papaya L. (papaya) has a wide distribution throughout many countries. Although the fruits of C. papaya are primarily consumed as food, various parts of this tree, including the bark, fruits, latex, seeds, and roots, have been used in traditional medicine for health promotion and disease mitigation. While numerous individual studies have investigated anticancer efficacies of various products and constituents of C. papaya, an up-to-date, comprehensive, and critical evaluation of available research data covering its role in the prevention and intervention of various human malignancies has not been conducted according to our knowledge. The purpose of this review is to present a systematic, comprehensive, and critical analysis of the cancer-preventive potential of C. papaya extracts, fractions, and isolated phytochemicals with a special emphasis on the cellular and molecular mechanisms of action. Moreover, the bioavailability, pharmacokinetics, and safety profiles of individual phytochemicals of C. papaya, as well as current limitations, challenges, and future directions of research, have also been discussed.