Life Sciences
Volume 124, 1 March 2015, Pages 64–74
Review article
Molecular mechanisms behind the biological effects of hesperidin and hesperetin for the prevention of cancer and cardiovascular diseases
Abstract
Hesperidin
(Hsd) and its aglycone, hesperetin (Hst), are two flavonoids from
citrus species that have various biological properties, particularly
those for the prevention of cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Studies
have shown both anti-cancer and cancer chemopreventive effects for Hsd
and Hst. Cancer chemopreventive properties of Hsd and Hst are mainly
associated with their antioxidant, radical scavenging and
anti-inflammatory activities. In addition, Hsd and Hst interfere at
different stages of cancer. Unlike conventional anti-cancer drugs, Hsd
and Hst inhibit tumor growth by targeting multiple cellular protein
targets at the same time, including caspases, Bcl-2 (B-cell lymphoma 2)
and Bax (Bcl-2 associated X protein) for the induction of apoptosis, and
COX-2 (cyclooxygenase-2), MMP-2 (matrix metalloproteinase-2) and MMP-9
for the inhibition of angiogenesis and metastasis. The results of the
recent basic and clinical studies revealed the beneficial effects for
Hst, Hsd and their derivatives in the treatment of heart failure and
cardiac remodeling, myocardial ischemia and infarction, and
hypertension. In addition, the valuable effects of Hst and Hsd in the
treatment of diabetes and dyslipidemia with their anti-platelet and
anticoagulant effects make them good candidates in the treatment of
various cardiovascular diseases. In this review, new findings regarding
the molecular targets of Hsd and Hst, animal studies and clinical trials
are discussed.
Graphical abstract
Keywords
- Flavonoid;
- Anti-cancer;
- Anticoagulant;
- Hesperetin
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+ 98 511 8823255; fax: + 98 511 8823251.
Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
