Editorial – Natural Antioxidant Phytochemicals: Anticancer Impacts,Mode of Action,and Recent Biotechnological Applications

Abstract

The recent advances in phytochemicals have led scientists to explore deeply the scientific principles of these functional molecules, precursors of essential pathways, and chemical processes. The current manuscript highlights the importance of the published studies in this collection for advanced applications in immune-related diseases.

Introduction

Natural phytochemicals have a long history of promoting public health globally. In addition, many compounds extracted from natural sources have proven to be used as bioactive compounds in many health and nutritional diseases.^1,2 Like Schisandrin A bioactive antioxidant that promotes neural cell proliferation along with its high positive implication on liver cancer.^3,4 Recently, the link between these natural products and potential technologies for eco-friendly extraction and detection techniques has become a key factor at the global level. ⁵ For instance, Gouda, Lv, Huang, Chen, He, Li ⁶ fabricated a bioprobe-RNAseq-microRaman system for deep tracking of the live cancer single-cell transcriptome by the functional changes of phycocyanin protein from the terpenoids interactions (Figure 1). Where, these protocols could show the innovations in the antioxidant and anticancer functionalities. ⁷ Therefore, this collection provides a better imagination for filling the knowledge gaps in bioactivity field.

Figure 1.

Constructed protocol for detecting cancer single-cell metabolic pathways by natural phytochemical bio-probes (Copyright permission: 5933341324483). ⁶

Contributions of Articles in the Collection

In the first article, Na Takuathung, Wongnoppavich, Jaijoy, Soonthornchareonnon, Sireeratawong ⁸ introduce 20 weeks experiment for evaluating the Antitumorigenic effect of Terminalia chebula extract according to its antioxidant potential. Where, 4 mg of T chebula extract significantly decreased the incidence, size, and number of tumors in mice with DMBA/TPA-induced skin tumorigenesis.

In another study by Kee, Lee, Kwon, Han ⁹ on Black raspberry (Rubus occidentalis) implications on gastric cancer (GC) cells, the authors conducted an extraction procedure for 41 day maturation period. They assessed the anticancer activity on GC apoptosis and invasiveness. Where the unripe fruit extract increased apoptotic body formation and decreased Bcl2 expression. Additionally, Gu, Ge, Zhang, Wang, Ma ¹⁰ studied the immune-enhanced activity of basil (Ocimum basicum) extract fractions on immunosuppressed mice. In that study results, the obtained petroleum ether, ethyl acetate, and n-butanol extracts have increased significantly the immunoglobulins (IgG, IgA, and IgM) levels compared to the model group (P < 0.05).

Along with these researchers, Yuan, Gao, Zhou, Wang, Shen, Chen, Zhu ¹¹ reported the significant inhibitory impact of norditerpene lactones from Rodocarpus nakaii on cancer cell viability through suppressing the NRF2/KEAP1 antioxidant pathway. Also, Fathima, Firdous, Pal, Ghazzawy, Gouda ¹² assessed the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo) through its 150 µg/ml and 300 µg/ml significant concentrations effect on proteinase enzymes.

Conclusion

This collection could play an important role in maximizing the phytomedicine drug discoveries and biotechnology applications via the presented mode of action in different therapeutic fields.