title: Putative mechanism for anticancer and apoptosis-inducing properties of plant-derived polyphenolic compounds.
abstract: Several plant-derived polyphenolic compounds are considered to possess anticancer and apoptosis-inducing properties in cancer cells. Such compounds are recognized as naturally occurring antioxidants but also exhibit prooxidant properties under appropriate conditions. Evidence in the literature suggests that the antioxidant properties of polyphenolics such as gallotannins, curcumin, and resveratrol may not fully account for their chemopreventive effects. We propose a mechanism for the cytotoxic action of these compounds against cancer cells that involves mobilization of endogenous copper and the consequent prooxidant action.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences, AMU, Aligarh, India. smhadi@del6.vsnl.net.in
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Hadi
authors.forename: S F
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Asad
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ahmad
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D003300:Copper / Q000378:metabolism; D005419:Flavonoids; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D016877:Oxidants / Q000494:pharmacology; D010636:Phenols / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011108:Polymers / Q000494:pharmacology*; D059808:Polyphenols
chemical_list: D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D000975:Antioxidants; D005419:Flavonoids; D016877:Oxidants; D010636:Phenols; D011108:Polymers; D059808:Polyphenols; D003300:Copper