Going Back to the Good Old Days: The Merit of Crude Plant Drug Mixtures in the 21st Century

Primary prevention through lifestyle interventions is a cost-effective alternative for preventing a large burden of chronic and degenerative diseases, including cancer, which is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. In the past decade, epidemiologic and preclinical evidence suggested that polyphenolic phytochemicals present in many plant foods possess chemopreventive properties against several cancer forms. Thus, there has been increasing interest in the potential cancer chemopreventive agents obtained from natural sources, such as polyphenols, that may represent a new, affordable approach to curb the increasing burden of cancer throughout the world. Several epidemiologic studies showed a relation between a soy-rich diet and cancer prevention, which was attributed to the presence of a phenolic compound, genistein, present in soy-based foods. Genistein acts as a chemotherapeutic agent against different types of cancer, mainly by altering apoptosis, the cell cycle, and angiogenesis and inhibiting metastasis. Targeting caspases, B cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2)-associated X protein (Bax), Bcl-2, kinesin-like protein 20A (KIF20A), extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), nuclear transcription factor κB (NF-κB), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), inhibitor of NF-κB (IκB), Wingless and integration 1 β-catenin (Wnt/β-catenin), and phosphoinositide 3 kinase/Akt (PI3K/Akt) signaling pathways may act as the molecular mechanisms of the anticancer, therapeutic effects of genistein. Genistein also shows synergistic behavior with well-known anticancer drugs, such as adriamycin, docetaxel, and tamoxifen, suggesting a potential role in combination therapy. This review critically analyzes the available literature on the therapeutic role of genistein on different types of cancer, focusing on its chemical features, plant food sources, bioavailability, and safety.

The World Health Organization estimated that the proportion of older people (over 60 years) will increase from 11% to 22% during next 40 years throughout the world. With respect to this, the morbidity and mortality rates of age-related diseases will increase. Mental diseases are the most common and important health problems among elderly people. Therefore, much attention has been paid to the discovery of neuroprotective drugs with high efficacy and negligible adverse effects. A growing body of scientific evidence has shown that phytochemicals possess neuroprotective effects and also mitigate neurodegeneration under both in vivo and in vitro conditions. Polyphenolic compounds, especially flavonoids, are known as most common chemical class of phytochemicals which possess a multiple range of health promoting effects. Chrysin, belonging to the flavone class, is one of the most important bioactive constituents of different fruits, vegetables and even mushrooms. Chrysin possesses potent neuroprotective effects and suppress neuroinflammation. In addition, chrysin improves cognitive decline and possesses a potent anti-amyloidogenic and neurotrophic effects. Furthermore, beneficial effects of chrysin on both depression and epilepsy have been reported. The present paper aimed to critically review the available literature data regarding the neuroprotective effects of chrysin as well as its chemistry, sources and bioavailability.

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) is one of the most economically important species of the family Lamiaceae. Native to the Mediterranean region, the plant is now widely distributed all over the world mainly due to its culinary, medicinal, and commercial uses including in the fragrance and food industries. Among the most important group of compounds isolated from the plant are the abietane-type phenolic diterpenes that account for most of the antioxidant and many pharmacological activities of the plant. Rosemary diterpenes have also been shown in recent years to inhibit neuronal cell death induced by a variety of agents both in vitro and in vivo. The therapeutic potential of these compounds for Alzheimer's disease (AD) is reviewed in this communication by giving special attention to the chemistry of the compounds along with the various pharmacological targets of the disease. The multifunctional nature of the compounds from the general antioxidant-mediated neuronal protection to other specific mechanisms including brain inflammation and amyloid beta (Aβ) formation, polymerisation, and pathologies is discussed.