title: Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Effects of (-)-Epicatechin and Other Polyphenols in Cancer, Inflammation, Diabetes, and Neurodegeneration.
abstract: With recent insight into the mechanisms involved in diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, stroke, neurodegenerative diseases, and diabetes, more efficient modes of treatment are now being assessed. Traditional medicine including the use of natural products is widely practiced around the world, assuming that certain natural products contain the healing properties that may in fact have a preventative role in many of the diseases plaguing the human population. This paper reviews the biological effects of a group of natural compounds called polyphenols, including apigenin, epigallocatechin gallate, genistein, and (-)-epicatechin, with a focus on the latter. (-)-Epicatechin has several unique features responsible for a variety of its effects. One of these is its ability to interact with and neutralize reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the cell. (-)-Epicatechin also modulates cell signaling including the MAP kinase pathway, which is involved in cell proliferation. Mutations in this pathway are often associated with malignancies, and the use of (-)-epicatechin holds promise as a preventative agent and as an adjunct for chemotherapy and radiation therapy to improve outcome. This paper discusses the potential of some phenolic compounds to maintain, protect, and possibly reinstate health.
authors.affiliation: Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201, USA ; Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, MI 48201, USA.
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Shay
authors.affiliation: Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201, USA ; Department of Radiation Oncology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201, USA.
authors.forename: Hosam A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Elbaz
authors.affiliation: College of Medicine, Dankook University, Cheonan-si, Chungcheongnam-do 330-714, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Icksoo
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201, USA.
authors.forename: Steven P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Zielske
authors.affiliation: Integrative Physiology of Exercise Laboratory, Physical Therapy Program, Department of Health Care Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201, USA ; Cardiovascular Research Institute, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201, USA.
authors.forename: Moh H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Malek
authors.affiliation: Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201, USA ; Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, MI 48201, USA ; Cardiovascular Research Institute, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201, USA.
authors.forename: Maik
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hüttemann
mesh_terms: D002392:Catechin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D019636:Neurodegenerative Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D059808:Polyphenols / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D059808:Polyphenols; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D002392:Catechin; C045651:epigallocatechin gallate