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Lv J, Jin S, Zhang Y, Zhou Y, Li M, Feng N. Equol: a metabolite of gut microbiota with potential antitumor effects. Gut Pathog 2024; 16:35. [PMID: 38972976 PMCID: PMC11229234 DOI: 10.1186/s13099-024-00625-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2024] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/09/2024] Open
Abstract
An increasing number of studies have shown that the consumption of soybeans and soybeans products is beneficial to human health, and the biological activity of soy products may be attributed to the presence of Soy Isoflavones (SI) in soybeans. In the intestinal tracts of humans and animals, certain specific bacteria can metabolize soy isoflavones into equol. Equol has a similar chemical structure to endogenous estradiol in the human body, which can bind with estrogen receptors and exert weak estrogen effects. Therefore, equol plays an important role in the occurrence and development of a variety of hormone-dependent malignancies such as breast cancer and prostate cancer. Despite the numerous health benefits of equol for humans, only 30-50% of the population can metabolize soy isoflavones into equol, with individual variation in gut microbiota being the main reason. This article provides an overview of the relevant gut microbiota involved in the synthesis of equol and its anti-tumor effects in various types of cancer. It also summarizes the molecular mechanisms underlying its anti-tumor properties, aiming to provide a more reliable theoretical basis for the rational utilization of equol in the field of cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Lv
- Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Shengkai Jin
- Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Yuwei Zhang
- Nantong University Medical School, Nantong, China
| | - Yuhua Zhou
- Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Menglu Li
- Department of Urology, Jiangnan University Medical Center, Wuxi, China.
- Jiangnan University Medical Center, 68 Zhongshan Road, Wuxi, Jiangsu, 214002, China.
| | - Ninghan Feng
- Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China.
- Nantong University Medical School, Nantong, China.
- Department of Urology, Jiangnan University Medical Center, Wuxi, China.
- Jiangnan University Medical Center, 68 Zhongshan Road, Wuxi, Jiangsu, 214002, China.
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Van der Eecken H, Joniau S, Berghen C, Rans K, De Meerleer G. The Use of Soy Isoflavones in the Treatment of Prostate Cancer: A Focus on the Cellular Effects. Nutrients 2023; 15:4856. [PMID: 38068715 PMCID: PMC10708402 DOI: 10.3390/nu15234856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Revised: 11/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
A possible link between diet and cancer has long been considered, with growing interest in phytochemicals. Soy isoflavones have been associated with a reduced risk of prostate cancer in Asian populations. Of the soy isoflavones, genistein and daidzein, in particular, have been studied, but recently, equol as a derivative has gained interest because it is more biologically potent. Different mechanisms of action have already been studied for the different isoflavones in multiple conditions, such as breast, gastrointestinal, and urogenital cancers. Many of these mechanisms of action could also be demonstrated in the prostate, both in vitro and in vivo. This review focuses on the known mechanisms of action at the cellular level and compares them between genistein, daidzein, and equol. These include androgen- and estrogen-mediated pathways, regulation of the cell cycle and cell proliferation, apoptosis, angiogenesis, and metastasis. In addition, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects and epigenetics are addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Steven Joniau
- Department of Urology, University Hospitals Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium;
| | - Charlien Berghen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospitals Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (C.B.); (K.R.); (G.D.M.)
| | - Kato Rans
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospitals Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (C.B.); (K.R.); (G.D.M.)
| | - Gert De Meerleer
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospitals Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (C.B.); (K.R.); (G.D.M.)
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Caserta S, Genovese C, Cicero N, Toscano V, Gangemi S, Allegra A. The Interplay between Medical Plants and Gut Microbiota in Cancer. Nutrients 2023; 15:3327. [PMID: 37571264 PMCID: PMC10421419 DOI: 10.3390/nu15153327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The gut microbiota is a dynamic community of bacteria distributed in the gastroenteric tract and changes in response to diseases, diet, use of antibiotics and probiotics, hygiene status, and other environmental factors. Dysbiosis, a disruption of the normal crosstalk between the host and the microbes, is associated with obesity, diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases, is linked to a reduction of anti-inflammatory bacteria like Lactobacillus and Roseburia, and to an increase in the growth of proinflammatory species like Ruminococcus gnavus and Bacteroidetes. Some plants possess anticancer properties and various studies have reported that some of these are also able to modulate the gut microbiota. The aim of this work is to evaluate the crucial relationship between medical plants and gut microbiota and the consequences on the onset and progression of cancer. In vivo studies about hematological malignancies showed that beta-glucans tie to endogenous antibeta glucan antibodies and to iC3b, an opsonic fragment of the central complement protein C3, leading to phagocytosis of antibody-targeted neoplastic cells and potentiation of the cytotoxic activity of the innate immune system if administered together with monoclonal antibodies. In conclusion, this review suggests the potential use of medical plants to improve gut dysbiosis and assist in the treatment of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santino Caserta
- Division of Hematology, Department of Human Pathology in Adulthood and Childhood “Gaetano Barresi”, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria, 98125 Messina, Italy; (S.C.); (A.A.)
| | - Claudia Genovese
- National Research Council, Institute for Agriculture and Forestry Systems in the Mediterranean, Via Empedocle 58, 95128 Catania, Italy;
| | - Nicola Cicero
- Department of Biomedical, Dental, Morphological and Functional Imaging Sciences, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria, 98125 Messina, Italy;
| | - Valeria Toscano
- National Research Council, Institute for Agriculture and Forestry Systems in the Mediterranean, Via Empedocle 58, 95128 Catania, Italy;
| | - Sebastiano Gangemi
- Allergy and Clinical Immunology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria, 98125 Messina, Italy;
| | - Alessandro Allegra
- Division of Hematology, Department of Human Pathology in Adulthood and Childhood “Gaetano Barresi”, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria, 98125 Messina, Italy; (S.C.); (A.A.)
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Lyubitelev A, Studitsky V. Inhibition of Cancer Development by Natural Plant Polyphenols: Molecular Mechanisms. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:10663. [PMID: 37445850 PMCID: PMC10341686 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241310663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Revised: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Malignant tumors remain one of the main sources of morbidity and mortality around the world. A chemotherapeutic approach to cancer treatment poses a multitude of challenges, primarily due to the low selectivity and genotoxicity of the majority of chemotherapeutic drugs currently used in the clinical practice, often leading to treatment-induced tumors formation. Highly selective antitumor drugs can largely resolve this issue, but their high selectivity leads to significant drawbacks due to the intrinsic tumor heterogeneity. In contrast, plant polyphenols can simultaneously affect many processes that are involved in the acquiring and maintaining of hallmark properties of malignant cells, and their toxic dose is typically much higher than the therapeutic one. In the present work we describe the mechanisms of the action of polyphenols on cancer cells, including their effects on genetic and epigenetic instability, tumor-promoting inflammation, and altered microbiota.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Vasily Studitsky
- Biology Faculty, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119234 Moscow, Russia;
- Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA 19111, USA
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Gong Y, Lv J, Pang X, Zhang S, Zhang G, Liu L, Wang Y, Li C. Advances in the Metabolic Mechanism and Functional Characteristics of Equol. Foods 2023; 12:2334. [PMID: 37372545 DOI: 10.3390/foods12122334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Equol is the most potent soy isoflavone metabolite and is produced by specific intestinal microorganisms of mammals. It has promising application possibilities for preventing chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, breast cancer, and prostate cancer due to its high antioxidant activity and hormone-like activity. Thus, it is of great significance to systematically study the efficient preparation method of equol and its functional activity. This paper elaborates on the metabolic mechanism of equol in humans; focuses on the biological characteristics, synthesis methods, and the currently isolated equol-producing bacteria; and looks forward to its future development and application direction, aiming to provide guidance for the application and promotion of equol in the field of food and health products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yining Gong
- Key Laboratory of Dairy Sciences, Ministry of Education, College of Food Science, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
- Institute of Food Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, No. 2 Yuan Ming Yuan West Road, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Jiaping Lv
- Institute of Food Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, No. 2 Yuan Ming Yuan West Road, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Xiaoyang Pang
- Institute of Food Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, No. 2 Yuan Ming Yuan West Road, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Shuwen Zhang
- Institute of Food Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, No. 2 Yuan Ming Yuan West Road, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Guofang Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Dairy Sciences, Ministry of Education, College of Food Science, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
| | - Libo Liu
- Key Laboratory of Dairy Sciences, Ministry of Education, College of Food Science, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
| | - Yunna Wang
- Institute of Food Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, No. 2 Yuan Ming Yuan West Road, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Chun Li
- Key Laboratory of Dairy Sciences, Ministry of Education, College of Food Science, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
- Heilongjiang Green Food Science Research Institute, Harbin 150030, China
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