What is new for an old molecule? Systematic review and recommendations on the use of resveratrol

BACKGROUND

Resveratrol is a natural compound suggested to have beneficial health effects. However, people are consuming resveratrol for this reason without having the adequate scientific evidence for its effects in humans. Therefore, scientific valid recommendations concerning the human intake of resveratrol based on available published scientific data are necessary. Such recommendations were formulated after the Resveratrol 2010 conference, held in September 2010 in Helsingør, Denmark.

METHODOLOGY

Literature search in databases as PUBMED and ISI Web of Science in combination with manual search was used to answer the following five questions: (1)Can resveratrol be recommended in the prevention or treatment of human diseases?; (2)Are there observed "side effects" caused by the intake of resveratrol in humans?; (3)What is the relevant dose of resveratrol?; (4)What valid data are available regarding an effect in various species of experimental animals?; (5)Which relevant (overall) mechanisms of action of resveratrol have been documented?

CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE

The overall conclusion is that the published evidence is not sufficiently strong to justify a recommendation for the administration of resveratrol to humans, beyond the dose which can be obtained from dietary sources. On the other hand, animal data are promising in prevention of various cancer types, coronary heart diseases and diabetes which strongly indicate the need for human clinical trials. Finally, we suggest directions for future research in resveratrol regarding its mechanism of action and its safety and toxicology in human subjects.

Resveratrol and cellular mechanisms of cancer prevention

The use of novel and improved chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic agents for the prevention and treatment of cancer is on the rise. Natural products have always afforded a rich source of such agents. Epidemiological evidence suggests that a higher flavonoid intake is associated with low cancer risk. Accumulating data clearly indicate that the induction of apoptosis is an important component in the chemoprevention of cancer by naturally occurring dietary agents. Resveratrol, a naturally occurring polyphenol, demonstrates pleiotropic health benefits, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiaging, cardioprotective, and neuroprotective activities. Because of these properties and their wide distribution throughout the plant kingdom, resveratrol is envisioned as a potential chemopreventive/curative agent. Currently, a number of preclinical findings from our lab and elsewhere suggest resveratrol to be a promising natural weapon in the war against cancer. Remarkable progress in elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying the anticancer properties of resveratrol has been achieved. Here, we focus on some of the myriad pathways that resveratrol targets to exert its chemopreventive role and advocate that resveratrol holds tremendous potential as an efficient anticancer drug of the future.

Cancer chemoprevention with garlic and its constituents

Advance metastasized cancers are generally incurable; hence an effort to prolong the process of carcinogenesis through chemoprevention has emerged consistent with this notion. In recent years, a considerable attention has been placed to identify naturally occurring chemopreventive substances capable of inhibiting, retarding or reversing the process of carcinogenesis. A number of phenolic substances, particularly those present in dietary and medicinal plants, have been shown to possess substantial anticarcinogenic and antimutagenic activities. Epidemiological observations and laboratory studies, both in cell culture and animal models have indicated anticarcinogenic potential of garlic and its constituents, which has been traditionally used for varied human ailments around the world. Chemical analysis has indicated that protective effects of garlic appear to be related to the presence of organosulfur compounds mainly allyl derivatives. Several mechanisms have been presented to explain cancer chemopreventive effects of garlic-derived products. These include modulation in activity of several metabolizing enzymes that activate and detoxify carcinogens and inhibit DNA adduct formation, antioxidative and free radicals scavenging properties and regulation of cell proliferation, apoptosis and immune responses. Recent data show that garlic-derived products modulate cell-signaling pathways in a fashion that controls the unwanted proliferation of cells thereby imparting strong cancer chemopreventive as well as cancer therapeutic effects. This review discusses mechanistic basis of cancer chemopreventive effects of garlic-derived products, their implication in cancer management and ways and means to take these agents from bench to real life situations.

Lupeol: connotations for chemoprevention

The perception of chemoprevention lies still in its infancy. Intervention, to slow down, arrest or reverse the process of carcinogenesis, by the use of either natural or synthetic substances individually or in combination therapy has emerged as a promising and pragmatic medical approach to reduce cancer risk. Pentacyclic lupane-type triterpenes exemplified by lupeol [lup-20(29)-en-3b-ol], are principally found in common fruit plants such as olive, mango, fig, etc. Although, lupeol exhibits an array of biological activities like anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic, anti-mutagenic and anti-malarial activity both in in vitro and in vivo systems yet, extensive exploration in regard to establish its role as chemopreventive compound is warranted. Interest in developing lupeol based potent anti-neoplastic agents, has led to the discovery of a host of highly active derivatives exhibiting greater potencies and better therapeutic indices. This review asserts on the chemopreventive prospects of lupeol and reveals potential chemoprevention drug targets, central to which are the cell cycle regulatory pathway genes and tries to explain the mechanism operating behind its action.

Resveratrol improves the anticancer effects of doxorubicin in vitro and in vivo models: A mechanistic insight

BACKGROUND

Resveratrol (RSVL), a well known dietary compound and in combination with doxorubicin (DOX) has gained a global importance for cancer prevention. However, mechanism of action by this combination is not well understood till date.

HYPOTHESIS

The synergistic combination of RSVL and DOX might be more effective in anti-cancer activity by modulating the diverse cancer signaling pathways as compared to their alone treatments.

METHODS

The cytotoxicity of alone and combination doses of RSVL and DOX were analyzed by colorimetric MTT(3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-Diphenyltetrazolium Bromide) cell proliferation assay. The migration and colony forming abilities were evaluated by wound healing and clonogenic assays. Apoptosis was detected by Annexin V/PI and DAPI stainings. The cell cycle and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation were measured by flow cytometry. The differential expression of genes and proteins were measured by qRT-PCR and western blotting analyses. Finally, in-vivo studies were performed in Ehrlich ascitic carcinoma (EAC) mouse model.

RESULTS

The synergistic combination of DOX (IC20) and RSVL (IC30) was selected based on the combination index values in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines. This combination showed potent growth inhibition with ∼2.5 fold of dose advantage and also significantly decreased the wound healing and clonogenic potential of breast cancer cells. The combination treatment was also found to inhibit the inflammatory response (NF-kB, COX-2), autophagic flux (LC3, Beclin-1), redox regulation (Nrf2) and induces apoptosis (BAX: BCL-2 ratio and Caspase-9) in breast cancer cells. Further, combined dosages of DOX (5 mg/kg b.wt) and RSVL (10 mg/kg b.wt) inhibited tumor volume with increased life span (139%, p value<0.05) in Ehrlich ascitic carcinoma (EAC) cells bearing mice.

CONCLUSION

In brief, our results suggested that resveratrol chemosensitizes doxorubicin in combination, through inhibiting breast cancer cells proliferation and invasion, and inducing apoptosis via suppression of chronic inflammation and autophagy.

Neuroprotective and neurorescue effect of black tea extract in 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned rat model of Parkinson's disease

In the present study, an attempt has been made to explore the neuroprotective and neuroreparative (neurorescue) effect of black tea extract (BTE) in 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-lesioned rat model of Parkinson's disease (PD). In the neuroprotective (BTE + 6-OHDA) and neurorescue (6-OHDA + BTE) experiments, the rats were given 1.5% BTE orally prior to and after intrastriatal 6-OHDA lesion respectively. A significant recovery in d-amphetamine induced circling behavior (stereotypy), spontaneous locomotor activity, dopamine (DA)-D2 receptor binding, striatal DA and 3-4 dihydroxy phenyl acetic acid (DOPAC) level, nigral glutathione level, lipid peroxidation, striatal superoxide dismutase and catalase activity, antiapoptotic and proapoptotic protein level was evident in BTE + 6-OHDA and 6-OHDA + BTE groups, as compared to lesioned animals. BTE treatment, either before or after 6-OHDA administration protected the dopaminergic neurons, as evident by significantly higher number of surviving tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactive (TH-ir) neurons, increased TH protein level and TH mRNA expression in substantia nigra. However, the degree of improvement in motor and neurochemical deficits was more prominent in rats receiving BTE before 6-OHDA. Results suggest that BTE exerts both neuroprotective and neurorescue effects against 6-OHDA-induced degeneration of the nigrostriatal dopaminergic system, suggesting that possibly daily intake of BTE may slow down the PD progression as well as delay the onset of neurodegenerative processes in PD.

Bromelain inhibits COX-2 expression by blocking the activation of MAPK regulated NF-kappa B against skin tumor-initiation triggering mitochondrial death pathway

Chemoprevention impels the pursuit for either single targeted or cocktail of multi-targeted agents. Bromelain, potential agent in this regard, is a pharmacologically active compound, present in stems and fruits of pineapple (Ananas cosmosus), endowed with anti-inflammatory, anti-invasive and anti-metastatic properties. Herein, we report the anti tumor-initiating effects of bromelain in 2-stage mouse skin tumorigenesis model. Pre-treatment of bromelain resulted in reduction in cumulative number of tumors (CNT) and average number of tumors per mouse. Preventive effect was also comprehended in terms of reduction in tumor volume up to a tune of approximately 65%. Components of the cell signaling pathways, connecting proteins involved in cell death were targeted. Bromelain treatment resulted in upregulation of p53 and Bax and subsequent activation of caspase 3 and caspase 9 with concomitant decrease in Bcl-2. A marked inhibition in cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2) expression and inactivation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB) was recorded, as phosphorylation and consequent degradation of I kappa B alpha was blocked by bromelain. Also, bromelain treatment curtailed extracellular signal regulated protein kinase (ERK1/2), p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and Akt activity. The basis of anti tumor-initiating activity of bromelain was revealed by its time dependent reduction in DNA nick formation and increase in percentage prevention. Thus, modulation of inappropriate cell signaling cascades driven by bromelain is a coherent approach in achieving chemoprevention.

RETRACTED: Resveratrol induces apoptosis involving mitochondrial pathways in mouse skin tumorigenesis

This article has been retracted: please see Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal (https://www.elsevier.com/about/our-business/policies/article-withdrawal). This article has been retracted at the request of the Editor-in-Chief. Multiple figures in this article appear to be falsified/fabricated, and can not be verified as the corresponding author does not have the original data. Figure 2. It appears that data has been duplicated in panels V and VI. Figure 3A. Lanes II and VI in the p53 wild band appear to be duplicated. Figure 4A. Lanes I, II, V and VI of the Beta-actin blot appear to be the same data replicated. Figure 4B. The representative blots in the Bcl-2 band, lanes V and VI are identical, as are all lanes in the Beta-actin band. Figure 5B. Lanes III and IV of the Apaf 1 band, when rotated and vertically stretched, are duplicated and appear in Figure 3D as lanes III and IV of the Cytochrome C blot in “Chemopreventive potential of resveratrol in mouse skin tumors through regulation of mitochondrial and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways.” Pharmaceutical Research (2009). Doi: 10.1007/s11095-008-9723-z. Figure 5C. Lanes II and V of the Caspase 9 band appear to be duplicated. Figure 5E. The bands in lane V and VI of the Beta-actin blot are duplicated. Figure 5B and 5C. The Beta-actin lane IV band in 5B and lane IV in 5C appear to be duplicated from Figure 6B in “Hepatoprotective effects of lupeol and mango pulp extract of carcinogen induced alteration in Swiss albino mice.” Molecular Nutrition & Food Research (2007). Doi: 10.1002/mnfr.200600113.

Studies on glyphosate-induced carcinogenicity in mouse skin: a proteomic approach

Glyphosate is a widely used broad spectrum herbicide, reported to induce various toxic effects in non-target species, but its carcinogenic potential is still unknown. Here we showed the carcinogenic effects of glyphosate using 2-stage mouse skin carcinogenesis model and proteomic analysis. Carcinogenicity study revealed that glyphosate has tumor promoting activity. Proteomic analysis using 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry showed that 22 spots were differentially expressed (>2 fold) on glyphosate, 7, 12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) and 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA) application over untreated control. Among them, 9 proteins (translation elongation factor eEF-1 alpha chain, carbonic anhydrase III, annexin II, calcyclin, fab fragment anti-VEGF antibody, peroxiredoxin-2, superoxide dismutase [Cu-Zn], stefin A3, and calgranulin-B) were common and showed similar expression pattern in glyphosate and TPA-treated mouse skin. These proteins are known to be involved in several key processes like apoptosis and growth-inhibition, anti-oxidant responses, etc. The up-regulation of calcyclin, calgranulin-B and down-regulation of superoxide dismutase [Cu-Zn] was further confirmed by immunoblotting, indicating that these proteins can be good candidate biomarkers for skin carcinogenesis induced by glyphosate. Altogether, these results suggested that glyphosate has tumor promoting potential in skin carcinogenesis and its mechanism seems to be similar to TPA.

Hepatoprotective effects of lupeol and mango pulp extract of carcinogen induced alteration in Swiss albino mice

Lupeol, a triterpene present in mango and other fruits, is known to exhibit a number of pharmacological properties including antioxidant, antilithiatic, and antidiabetic effects. In the present study, chemopreventive properties of lupeol and mango pulp extract (MPE) were evaluated against 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA) induced alteration in liver of Swiss albino mice. Lupeol (25 mg/kg body weight, bw) or 1 mL of 20% w/v aqueous MPE/mouse were daily given once for 1 wk after a single dose of DMBA (50 mg/kg bw). Lupeol/MPE supplementation effectively influenced the DMBA induced oxidative stress, characterized by restored antioxidant enzyme activities and decrease in lipid peroxidation. A reduction of apoptotic cell population in the hypodiploid region was observed in lupeol and MPE supplemented animals. The inhibition of apoptosis was preceded by decrease in reactive oxygen species (ROS) level and restoration of mitochondrial transmembrane potential followed by decreased DNA fragmentation. In DMBA treated animals, downregulation of antiapoptotic Bcl-2 and upregulation of proapoptotic Bax and Caspase 3 in mouse liver was observed. These alterations were restored by lupeol/MPE, indicating inhibition of apoptosis. Thus, lupeol/MPE was found to be effective in combating oxidative stress induced cellular injury of mouse liver by modulating cell-growth regulators.

Involvement of nitric oxide in neurodegeneration: a study on the experimental models of Parkinson's disease

The present study was undertaken to explore involvement of nitric oxide (NO) in the experimental models of Parkinson's disease. Neurodegeneration was induced by unilateral injections of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the right striatum. Lesions were functionally evaluated by amphetamine-induced asymmetrical behaviour and by decrease in the tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunostaining. An induction in the expression of iNOS and augmentation in nitrite content was observed in both the models. The extent of increase in iNOS expression was, however, different but the elevation in the nitrite content was comparable in both the models. The increase in iNOS expression inversely correlated with the tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunolabeling. Animals pretreated with a NOS inhibitor, N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), exhibited complete protection against amphetamine induced rotations in both the models. Thus, augmented NO availability subsequent to iNOS induction seems to play an important role in the initial phase of neurodegeneration.

Regulation of p53, nuclear factor kappaB and cyclooxygenase-2 expression by bromelain through targeting mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway in mouse skin

Bromelain is a pharmacologically active compound, present in stems and immature fruits of pineapples (Ananas cosmosus), which has been shown to have anti-edematous, anti-inflammatory, anti-thrombotic and anti-metastatic properties. In the present study, antitumorigenic activity of bromelain was recorded in 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA)-initiated and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-promoted 2-stage mouse skin model. Results showed that bromelain application delayed the onset of tumorigenesis and reduced the cumulative number of tumors, tumor volume and the average number of tumors/mouse. To establish a cause and effect relationship, we targeted the proteins involved in the cell death pathway. Bromelain treatment resulted in upregulation of p53 and Bax and subsequent activation of caspase 3 and caspase 9 with concomitant decrease in antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2 in mouse skin. Since persistent induction of cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2) is frequently implicated in tumorigenesis and is regulated by nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB), we also investigated the effect of bromelain on Cox-2 and NF-kappaB expression. Results showed that bromelain application significantly inhibited Cox-2 and inactivated NF-kappaB by blocking phosphorylation and subsequent degradation of IkappaBalpha. In addition, bromelain treatment attenuated DMBA-TPA-induced phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK1/2), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and Akt. Taken together, we conclude that bromelain induces apoptosis-related proteins along with inhibition of NF-kappaB-driven Cox-2 expression by blocking the MAPK and Akt/protein kinase B signaling in DMBA-TPA-induced mouse skin tumors, which may account for its anti-tumorigenic effects.

Antimutagenic potential of curcumin on chromosomal aberrations in Wistar rats

Curcumin, a yellow pigment commonly used as a spice and food coloring agent is obtained from rhizomes of Curcuma longa and is a major chemopreventive component of turmeric. In the present set of investigations the antimutagenic potential of curcumin has been evaluated using in vivo chromosomal aberration assay in Wistar rats. Cyclophosphamide (CP), a well-known mutagen was given by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection at the dose of 40 mg/kg body weight (b.w.). Curcumin was given at the dose of 100 and 200 mg/kg b.w. through gastric intubation for seven consecutive days prior to CP treatment. The animals were sacrificed at the sampling time of 24 h after treatment and their bone marrow tissue was analyzed for chromosomal damage and mitotic index. In CP treated animals a significant induction of chromosomal aberration was recorded with decrease in mitotic index. However, in curcumin-supplemented animals, no significant induction in chromosomal damage or change in mitotic index was recorded. In different curcumin-supplemented groups, a dose dependent significant decrease in CP induced clastogenicity was recorded. The incidence of aberrant cells was found to be reduced by both the doses of curcumin when compared to CP treated group. The anticytotoxic potential of curcumin towards CP was also evident as the status of mitotic index was found to show increment. The study revealed the antigenotoxic potential of curcumin against CP induced chromosomal mutations.

Antitumour activity of diallyl sulfide on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon-induced mouse skin carcinogenesis

Diallyl sulfide (DAS), a major flavour component of garlic, is known to modulate xenobiotic metabolism and possess antitoxic, bactericidal, antineoplastic, hypolipidemic and hypocholesteromic effects. In the present study, the anticarcinogenic activity of DAS on a 7,12-dimethylbenzanthracene (DMBA)- or benzo[a]pyrene (B(a)P)-induced mouse skin model of carcinogenesis was evaluated. DAS was applied topically either 1 h prior to or 1 h after the administration of DMBA or B(a)P. A significant protection from neoplasia was observed in DAS- and DMBA/B(a)P-exposed animals when DAS was applied topically compared to the animals exposed only to DMBA/B(a)P. In the animals where DAS was applied 1 h prior to the application of DMBA, a lower magnitude of neoplasia was recorded in terms of the cumulative number of tumours and average number of tumours per mouse during the entire period of study (28 weeks) compared to the animals exposed to DAS 1 h later, while in B(a)P-exposed animals, the antitumorigenic potential of DAS was more evident in the mice treated with DAS 1 h after the B(a)P exposure compared to the animals treated with DAS 1 h prior to B(a)P. The antitumour activity of DAS was of a much higher magnitude in B(a)P-induced carcinogenesis in comparison to animals exposed to DMBA in terms of tumour incidence, cumulative number of tumours and average number of tumours per mouse. The results suggest that DAS has a protective effect in PAH-induced mouse skin carcinogenesis.

Reversal of P-glycoprotein-mediated multidrug resistance by diallyl sulfide in K562 leukemic cells and in mouse liver

Multidrug resistance (MDR) mediated by the overexpression of drug efflux protein P-glycoprotein (P-gp) is one of the major obstacles to successful cancer chemotherapy. P-gp acts as an energy-dependent drug efflux pump, reducing the intracellular concentration of structurally unrelated drugs. Modulators of P-gp function can restore the sensitivity of multidrug-resistant cells to such drugs. In the present study, we evaluated the P-gp modulatory potential of diallyl sulfide (DAS), a volatile organosulfur compound present in garlic, known to possess many medicinal properties, including antimutagenic and anticarcinogenic activities. For in vitro studies, K562 leukemic cells were made resistant (K562/R) to the cytotoxicity of vinblastine (VBL) by progressive adaptation of the sensitive K562 parental cells to VBL. Cross-resistance of K562/R was found between vincristine (VCR), doxorubicin and other antineoplastic agents. A non-toxic concentration of DAS (8.75 x 10(-3) M) enhanced the cytotoxic effects of VBL and another vinca alkaloid, VCR, time dependently in VBL-resistant human leukemia (K562/R10) cells but had no effect on the parent (K562/S) cells. The results show that DAS decreased the induced levels of P-gp in resistant cells back to the normal levels as analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively by western blotting and immunocytochemistry. Furthermore, in vivo combination studies showed that DAS effectively inhibited vinca alkaloid-induced P-gp overexpression in mouse hepatocytes. Quantitation of immunostained tissue sections with image analysis showed that the reduction in P-gp levels was up to 73% for VBL- and 65% for VCR-induced drug resistance. The above features thus indicate that DAS can serve as a novel, non-toxic modulator of MDR and can be used as a dietary adjuvant.

RETRACTED: Tea polyphenols enhance cisplatin chemosensitivity in cervical cancer cells via induction of apoptosis

This article has been retracted: please see Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal (https://www.elsevier.com/about/our-business/policies/article-withdrawal). This article has been retracted at the request of the Editor-in-Chief. Multiple figures in this article appear to be falsified/fabricated. Figure 2A and C. The representative dot plots from the EGCG (15ug/ml)+CDDP (10ug/ml) and TF (15ug/ml) groups appear to be duplicated. Figures 3, 4 and 6. Multiple Western blot bands appear to be rotated and reused throughout Figure 3 (A and B); 4 (A and B) and 6 (A, B, C). In particular, the Cytochrome-c blot in Figure 3B is duplicated and flipped in Figure 6B as p-NFKB. The p53 blot in Figure 3B is duplicated in Figure 6C as p-NFKB. The B-actin blot in Figure 3B is shown as an unmarked control lane (flipped in Figure 6B. The p53 band in Figure 3C is very similar to the Caspase 9 blot in Figure 4B and is cropped and duplicated in Figure 6A as p-NFKB by cisplatin in SiHa cells. The Caspase 3 blot in Figure 4A is rotated and flipped and appears in Figure 6B as p-IKBa.

PLGA-encapsulated tea polyphenols enhance the chemotherapeutic efficacy of cisplatin against human cancer cells and mice bearing Ehrlich ascites carcinoma

The clinical success of the applicability of tea polyphenols awaits efficient systemic delivery and bioavailability. Herein, following the concept of nanochemoprevention, which uses nanotechnology for enhancing the efficacy of chemotherapeutic drugs, we employed tea polyphenols, namely theaflavin (TF) and epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) encapsulated in a biodegradable nanoparticulate formulation based on poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) with approximately 26% and 18% encapsulation efficiency, respectively. It was observed that TF/EGCG encapsulated PLGA nanoparticles (NPs) offered an up to ~7-fold dose advantage when compared with bulk TF/EGCG in terms of exerting its antiproliferative effects and also enhanced the anticancer potential of cisplatin (CDDP) in A549 (lung carcinoma), HeLa (cervical carcinoma), and THP-1 (acute monocytic leukemia) cells. Cell cycle analysis revealed that TF/EGCG-NPs were more efficient than bulk TF/EGCG in sensitizing A549 cells to CDDP-induced apoptosis, with a dose advantage of up to 20-fold. Further, TF/EGCG-NPs, alone or in combination with CDDP, were more effective in inhibiting NF-κB activation and in suppressing the expression of cyclin D1, matrix metalloproteinase-9, and vascular endothelial growth factor, involved in cell proliferation, metastasis, and angiogenesis, respectively. EGCG and TF-NPs were also found to be more effective than bulk TF/EGCG in inducing the cleavage of caspase-3 and caspase-9 and Bax/Bcl2 ratio in favor of apoptosis. Further, in vivo evaluation of these NPs in combination with CDDP showed an increase in life span (P<0.05) in mice bearing Ehrlich's ascites carcinoma cells, with apparent regression of tumor volume in comparison with mice treated with bulk doses with CDDP. These results indicate that EGCG and TF-NPs have superior cancer chemosensitization activity when compared with bulk TF/EGCG.