Apoptosis induction by sulfur-containing compounds in malignant and nonmalignant human cells.
Plants have traditionally represented a main source for the discovery of many biologically active substances with therapeutic values. Sulfur-containing compounds exhibit pleiotropic biological effects supporting their potential use in multitargeted cancer prevention and treatment. As potential anti-cancer agents, they have been shown to inhibit or retard the growth of various cancer cells in culture and implanted tumors in vivo. The compounds significantly inhibit experimental tumorigenesis in a wide range of animal models. A critical and well-elucidated cellular mechanism involved in the anticancer activities of sulfur-containing compounds is the induction of apoptosis through the fine-tuning of orchestrated intracellular signal transduction. This review summarizes the established proapoptotic activities of sulfur-containing compounds in malignant and nonmalignant cells with a special focus on their molecular mechanisms. The potential toxicological implications of proapoptotic effects on normal cells will also be discussed.
Fimognari
Carmela
C
Department of Pharmacology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy. carmela.fimognari@unibo.it
Lenzi
Monia
M
Hrelia
Patrizia
P
D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D015394:Molecular Structure; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D010945:Plants, Edible / Q000737:chemistry; D013457:Sulfur Compounds / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*
D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents; D013457:Sulfur Compounds