Mechanistic evaluation of phytochemicals in breast cancer remedy: current understanding and future perspectives

Abstract

Breast cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers around the globe and accounts for a large proportion of fatalities in women. Despite the advancement in therapeutic and diagnostic procedures, breast cancer still represents a major challenge. Current anti-breast cancer approaches include surgical removal, radiotherapy, hormonal therapy and the use of various chemotherapeutic drugs. However, drug resistance, associated serious adverse effects, metastasis and recurrence complications still need to be resolved which demand safe and alternative strategies. In this scenario, phytochemicals have recently gained huge attention due to their safety profile and cost-effectiveness. These phytochemicals modulate various genes, gene products and signalling pathways, thereby inhibiting breast cancer cell proliferation, invasion, angiogenesis and metastasis and inducing apoptosis. Moreover, they also target breast cancer stem cells and overcome drug resistance problems in breast carcinomas. Phytochemicals as adjuvants with chemotherapeutic drugs have greatly enhanced their therapeutic efficacy. This review focuses on the recently recognized molecular mechanisms underlying breast cancer chemoprevention with the use of phytochemicals such as curcumin, resveratrol, silibinin, genistein, epigallocatechin gallate, secoisolariciresinol, thymoquinone, kaempferol, quercetin, parthenolide, sulforaphane, ginsenosides, naringenin, isoliquiritigenin, luteolin, benzyl isothiocyanate, α-mangostin, 3,3′-diindolylmethane, pterostilbene, vinca alkaloids and apigenin.

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1 Introduction

Breast cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers around the world and accounts for a large proportion of mortalities in females. The American Cancer Society estimated that in 2017, there will be an expected 63 410 new cases of in situ, 252 710 cases of invasive and 40 610 cases of breast cancer mortalities across women in the United States alone.^1,2 On the basis of expression of the estrogen receptor (ER), breast cancer is categorized into ER-positive and ER-negative types. The human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) and progesterone receptor (PR) further divide breast cancer into several molecular subtypes like HER2-positive, luminal A and luminal B. These types of breast carcinomas respond to aromatase inhibitors or hormonal therapy. However, another type of breast cancer, known as basal-like or triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), lacks these three receptors and thus does not respond to hormonal therapy.^3–8 Current therapeutic interventions in breast cancer remedy include radiation, surgical exclusion and the use of various chemotherapeutic drugs such as paclitaxel, doxorubicin, cisplatin, docetaxel, carboplatin, epirubicin, bevacizumab and cyclophosphamide.^9,10 However, the incidences of drug resistance and serious side-effects associated with these treatment methods have greatly reduced their therapeutic potential.¹¹ These complications propel researchers to look into alternative and safer chemotherapeutic strategies.

Human beings have always been suffered from infections by fungi, parasites, bacteria, viruses and many health disorders such as pain, inflammation, digestive complications and colds etc.¹² Recent medicines, based on antibiotics and synthetic drugs, have come into practice during the previous 150 years. Before that, humans had to depend on drugs derived from plants, animals and fungi. The curing of health disorders and infections with herbal medicines includes active natural products, known as secondary metabolites or phytochemicals, which are found in almost all plant species.¹² Secondary metabolites encompass a diverse group of organic compounds which have a vital role in plant defence systems and assist the interaction with the biotic environment. Many secondary metabolites like phenolics, alkaloids and terpenes are classified on the basis of their biosynthetic origin which possess different biological properties and are employed as pharmaceuticals, flavors, colors, agrochemicals, fragrances, food additives and biopesticides.^13–15 Secondary metabolites specifically modulate a molecular target in humans or animals. Such targets often include neuroreceptors, ion pumps, ion channels and elements of the cytoskeleton or enzymes degrading neurotransmitters.^12,16–20 An estimated more than 5000 distinct phytochemicals have been recognized in vegetables, fruits and grains, however, a large proportion is yet to be identified and understood before we can completely comprehend their health benefits in whole foods.²¹ Phytochemicals can be categorized into different classes such as phenolics, terpenes, organosulfur compounds and alkaloids (Fig. 1).^393,394 The molecular structures of various phytochemicals involved in breast cancer chemoprevention with their major plant sources are given in Table 1.

Fig. 1 Classification of phytochemicals involved in breast cancer chemoprevention.

Table 1 Representative molecular structures of phytochemicals with their major plant sources

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Phytochemicals display diverse range of disease-preventing or protective effects. They have been used since ancient times to cope with various ailments including cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, inflammation, neurological disorders and skin diseases etc.^22–28 Numerous epidemiological studies have predicted reduced cancer incidence with the use of phytochemicals.^29–31 Phytochemicals such as curcumin,³² resveratrol,^33,34 epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG),^35,36 silibinin,³⁷ benzyl isothiocyanate,^38,39 genistein,⁴⁰ kaempferol,^41,42 thymoquinone,⁴³ quercetin,⁴⁴ parthenolide,⁴⁵ sulforaphane,⁴⁶ naringenin,^47,327,330 isoliquiritigenin^48,49 and ginsenosides^50–52 have been shown to suppress breast carcinoma via modulation of various signalling transduction pathways, genes and gene products. These phytochemicals exert anti-breast cancer effects by inducing cellular apoptosis and reducing cell proliferation through modulation of various targets (Fig. 2 & 4). Additionally, phytochemicals inhibit the angiogenesis, metastasis and migratory behaviours in breast cancer cells (Fig. 3 & 4). Moreover, these compounds greatly enhanced the therapeutic efficacy of different anti-cancer drugs, overcame drugs resistance in breast cancer cells and also achieved sensitization to radiations.^53–58 The compounds targeted breast cancer stem cells (bCSCs)/progenitor cells.^59,60 CSCs are mainly involved in promotion of invasion, metastasis, abnormal proliferation, recurrence and drug resistance.⁶¹ The self-renewal capability of CSCs is related to the regulatory pathways of Notch, Wnt/β-catenin, hedgehog and P13K/Akt. These pathways might also contribute in the maintenance of CD44⁺/CD24^−/low bCSCs stemness.^59,62 Dandawate et al. (2016) reviewed the role of phytochemicals in targeting bCSCs.⁶⁰ Abdal Dayem et al. (2016) reviewed the effect of polyphenols against breast cancer and CSCs (Fig. 5).³⁹⁵ Petric et al. (2015) reviewed some phytochemicals modulating signalling pathways in breast and hormone related cancers.⁶³ Moreover, Siddiqui et al. (2015) have also put some light on therapeutic effect of phytochemicals in breast cancer.⁶⁴ In this review article, we summarize various phytochemicals that are involved in breast cancer prevention, by putting in view the recently recognized molecular mechanisms, which may serve useful in future drugs development.

Fig. 2 Phytochemicals-mediated regulation of molecular targets/signalling pathways involved in breast cancer cells proliferation and apoptosis. Downward arrows (↓) represent downregulation while upward arrows (↑) represent upregulation.

Fig. 3 Phytochemicals-mediated regulation of molecular targets/signalling pathways involved in breast cancer cells invasion, metastasis and angiogenesis. Downward arrows (↓) represent downregulation while upward arrows (↑) represent upregulation.

Fig. 4 Possible number of key targets involved in breast cancer cells proliferation, apoptosis, angiogenesis, invasion and metastasis and their regulation by phytochemicals.

Fig. 5 Polyphenols and their modes of action against breast cancer. Blue arrows indicate activation while red arrows indicate inhibition. CUR = curcumin, RSV = resveratrol, GEN = genistein, APG = apigenin, QUR = quercetin. Idea adopted from Abdal Dayem et al. (2016).³⁹⁵

2 Literature search

This review was conducted using various search engines including Google Scholar, PubMed, and Scopus by putting keywords such as breast cancer, chemoprevention, phytochemicals and individual names of respective phytochemicals plus breast cancer. All the research articles included in here are from the last half decade: 2012–2018.

3 Phytochemicals involved in breast cancer chemoprevention

3.1. Curcumin

Curcumin—a yellow pigment found in the rhizome of turmeric—is one of the most extensively studied phytochemical in breast cancer therapy. It displayed a wide spectrum of activities such as anti-proliferative, apoptotic, anti-metastatic, anti-angiogenic, radio-protective, chemo-sensitization, induction of cell cycle arrest and inhibition of migration and invasion in breast cancer cells (Table 2). Curcumin can modulate the activities and functions of various gene products like enzymes, inflammatory cytokines, transcription factors and products related to cell proliferation and cell survival.⁶⁵ Liu and Chen (2013) reviewed the effect of curcumin on breast cancer cells and showed that the compound modulate various molecular targets (Fig. 6).³⁹⁶

Table 2 Phytochemicals involved in breast cancer chemoprevention, their proposed mechanisms and effects

Phytochemical	Cell line/model	Proposed mechanism	Effect	Ref.
Curcumin	MCF-7	↓GSTP1 methylation	↑Glutathione S-transferase Pi 1	72
	MDA-MB-361	↓Sp1 expression, ↓DLC1 methylation	↓Growth, ↑re-expression of the tumor suppressor: deleted in liver cancer 1	73
	MCF-7	↓miR-21, ↑PTEN, ↑Akt, ↑caspase-3, ↑caspase-9	↑Apoptosis	66
	MCF-7 & MCF-7/DPP	↓CCAT1 expression, ↓PI3K, ↓p-Akt, ↓p-mTOR	↑Autophagy, ↑sensitization to cisplatin	80
	MCF-10F, MDA-MB-231 & Tumor 2	↓β-Catenin, ↓N-cadherin, ↓E-cadherin, ↓slug, ↓Twist1, ↓AXL, ↓fibronectin, ↓vimentin	↓Migration, ↓invasion	88
	MDA-MB-231	↑AMPK, ↓Akt	↑Autophagy, ↓proliferation, ↓migration	280
	MDA-MB-231	↓Intracellular FAS	↑Apoptosis	69
	MDA-MB-231	↓Slug/HK2 axis	↑Apoptosis, ↓4-OHT resistance	281
	MCF-7, MCF10A, SUM149	↓SCD, ↓CD49f, ↓LDH1A3, ↓TP63, ↓PROM1	↓bCSCs self-renewal	282
	MCF-7	↓Cyclin B1, ↓Cdc2	↓Colonization	283
	MCF-7	↓RhoA, ↓ROCK1, ↓ROCK2, ↓MMP-2, ↓MMP-9	↓Invasion	83
	MDA-MB-231	↓Cyclin D1, ↓p65, ↓PECAM-1	↓Angiogenesis, ↓proliferation, ↑apoptosis	84
	MDA-MB-231	↑miR181b, ↓CXCL1, ↓CXCL2	↓Metastasis, ↓proliferation, ↓invasion, ↑apoptosis	284
	MDA-MB-231 & MCF-7	↓Bcl-2, ↑Bax	↑Apoptosis	68
	MCF-7 & T47D	↑E-Cadherin/β-catenin negative feedback loop	↓Migration of bCSCs	71
	MCF-7	↑Nrf2 expression, ↓Fen1 expression	↓Proliferation	70
	MCF-7 & MDA-MB-231	↓NF-κB-Snail signalling pathway, ↑E-cadherin, ↓vimentin	↓Invasion	285
	MCF-7/LCC2 & MCF-7/LCC9	↓NF-κB, ↓Src, ↓FAK, ↓Akt, ↓mTOR, ↓EZH2, ↓Bcl-2, ↓Bcl-xL, ↓cyclin D1, ↓c-Myc, ↑ERK1/2	↓Proliferation, ↑apoptosis, ↓endocrine resistance, ↑sensitization to tamoxifen	286
	MCF-7	↓uPA expression, ↓NF-κB	↓Adhesion, ↓invasion	82
	MCF-7, MCF-10A, MDA-MB-231, SK-BR-3h	↓HER-2 oncoprotein, ↓MAPK, ↓p-Akt, ↓NF-κB	↓Proliferation, ↓migration	287
	MCF-7 & MDA-MB-231	↓DNMT1, ↓RASSF1A methylation	↑ RASSF1A	74
	MDA-MB-231	↓pERK1/2, ↓pEGFR	↑Apoptosis, ↓proliferation	288
	MCF-7	↓MAPK, ↓PKC, ↓NF-κB	↓Invasion	289
EGCG	In vivo	↓Ki-67	↓Proliferation	290
	T-47D	↓Telomerase, ↓PI3K/AKT	↑Apoptosis	92
	MCF-7	↓Bcl-2, ↑p53	↑Apoptosis, ↓proliferation	93
	MDA-MB-231	↓β-Catenin signalling pathway	↓Proliferation	94
	T-47D	↓ERα protein levels	↓Proliferation	291
	MCF-7/TAM	↓Nrf2 expression	↓Tamoxifen resistance	100
	MCF-7/DOX	↓MMP-2, ↓MMP-9 activity	↓Doxorubicin resistance	101
	MDA-MB-231 & MDA-MB-436	↓ER-α36, ↓MAPK/ERK, ↓EGFR, ↓PI3K/AKT	↓Proliferation, ↓bCSCs growth	98
	MCF-7, T-47D & SK-BR-3	↓Hsp90/PR-B/HDAC interactions, ↑p38/CK2, ↓ERα	↓Proliferation, ↓colonization	96
	MCF-7 & MDA-MB-231	↓H3K9/18 acetylation, ↓EZH2, ↓class I HDAC, ↓TIMP-3, ↓H3K2 trimethylation	↓Progression & invasion	292
	SUM-149 & SUM-190	↓ALDH+ cells, ↓VEGF-D, ↓cyclin D1, ↓RhoC, ↓FN1, ↓E-cadherin, ↓Bcl-XL, ↓VIM, ↑c-PARP, ↑cleaved caspase-3	↓Proliferation, ↓migration, ↓invasion, ↑apoptosis, ↓lymphangiogenesis, ↓tumorsphere formation	293
	Hs578T	↓VEGF	↓Proliferation, ↓migration & invasion	294
	MCF-7	↓VEGF, ↓HIF-1α	↓Proliferation	295
	4T1 & RAW264.7	↑miR-16, ↓IKKα, ↓CSF-1, ↑IL-6, ↓CCL-2, ↑TGF-β, ↑TNF-α	↓Tumor growth, ↓TAM infiltration, ↓M2 polarization	296
	MCF-7 & MDA-MB-231	↑p21^WAF1, ↓DNMT1, ↓HDAC1, ↓MeCP2, ↓RARβ2, ↓cyclin D2 methylation, ↓TMS1 methylation, ↓MGMT methylation	↓Cell viability	297
Genistein	Sprague-Dawley rats	↓UPR, ↓GRP78, ↓IRE1α, ↓Beclin-1, ↓ATF4, ↓TGFβ, ↓Foxρ3, ↑CD8a	↓Tamoxifen resistance, ↓recurrence	110
	MCF-7-C3 & T-47D	↓CIP2A, ↓E2F1	↑Apoptosis, ↓proliferation	106
	MCF-7	↑miR-23b	↑Cytotoxicity	111
	MDA-MB-231 & MCF-7	↓DNMTI, ↑ATM, ↑PTEN, ↑APC, ↑SERPINB5	↓Cell viability	108
	MCF-7/Adr	↓ HER2/neu	↑Apoptosis, ↓doxorubicin resistance	298
	MCF-7 & 3T3-L1	↓ERα, ↓cyclin D1, ↓Bcl-2, ↑Bax	↓Proliferation, ↑apoptosis	103
	MCF-7	↓Hedgehog, ↓Gli1	↓bCSCs	113
	MDA-MB-231 & MCF-7	↑ATM, ↑Chk2, ↑Cdc25C, ↑Cdc2, ↑Bax, ↑p53, ↓Bcl-2, ↓Rad51	↑Radiosensitivity, ↑apoptosis	299
	MCF-7, SK-BR-3 & ZR-75-1	↓ERα, ↓c-erbB-2 expression	↓Proliferation	105
	MDA-MB-231	↓pERK1/2, ↑Bax/Bcl-2 ratio	↑Apoptosis, ↓proliferation	300
	MDA-MB-231	↓NF-κB, ↓cyclin B1, ↓Bcl-2, ↓Bcl-xL	↓Proliferation, ↑apoptosis	301
	MCF-7 & UACC-3199	↓DNMT-1, ↓cyclin D1, ↑p53, ↑BRCA-1, ↓CpG methylation, ↑CYP1A1	↓Proliferation	40
Resveratrol	MDA-MB-231 & MCF-7	↑ATP2A3, ↓Bcl-2, ↓Ki67, ↑Bcl-2L11 (BIM)	↑Apoptosis, ↓proliferation	114
	T47-D	↓p53, ↓ERα	↓Proliferation	302
	MDA-MB-231	↓AURKA, ↓PLK1, ↓cyclin D1, ↓cyclin B1	↓Cell cycle progression, ↑apoptosis, ↓viability	117
	MDA-MB-231 & MDA-MB-468	↓YAP, ↓RhoA	↓Invasion	116
	MDA-MB-231 & MCF-7	↓ XIAP, ↓Bcl-2, ↑CASP-8, ↑CASP-9, modulation of miR-125b-5p, miR-409-3p, miR-200c-3, miR-542-3p & miR-122-5p	↑Apoptosis	128
	MCF-7/DOX	↓MDR-1, ↓P-glycoprotein	↓Doxorubicin resistance, ↓proliferation	124
	MCF-7, SUM159	↓ Wnt, ↓β-catenin	↓bCSCs proliferation, ↑autophagy, ↓mammospheres	303
	SKBR-3	↓FASN, ↓HER2, ↑PEA3, ↓p-Akt, ↑PTEN, ↓PI3K, ↓Akt, ↓mTOR	↓Proliferation, ↑apoptosis	115
	MCF-7	↓PFK activity, ↓glucose consumption, ↓ATP content	↓Cell viability	304
	MCF-7/TR	↓TGF-β, ↓Smad cascade, ↓EMT	↓Tamoxifen resistance, ↑apoptosis	126
	MCF-7	↓HSP27	↑Sensitization to doxorubicin	125
	MCF-7 & MDA-MB-231	↑p53, ↓procaspase 8, ↑CASP-7, ↑CASP-9, ↑p-Chk2, ↓cyclin A, ↓Thr^160-phosphorylated CDK2, ↓CDK7, ↑cell cycle arrest	↑Sensitization to melphalan	127
Quercetin	MDA-MB-231 & MDA-MB-157	↓FASN, ↓β-catenin, ↓Bcl-2, ↑caspase-3	↑Apoptosis, ↓proliferation	44
	MCF-7	↓Bcl-2, ↑Bax	↑Apoptosis, ↑necroptosis	130
	MCF-7	↓VEGF, ↓VEGFR2, ↓NFATc3, ↓calcineurin pathway	↓Angiogenesis	137
	MCF-7Ca/TAM-R	↓Her-2, ↑ERα	↓Proliferation, ↑apoptosis, ↓tamoxifen resistance	134
	MDA-MB-231 & MDA-MB-468	↑E-Cadherin, ↓vimentin, ↓c-Myc, ↓cyclin D1	↓Metastasis, ↓proliferation	136
	MCF-7	↓Twist, ↓p38MAPK, ↓cyclin D1, ↓p21	↑Apoptosis	131
	MCF-7	↓Proteasome, ↑CASP-3, ↑CASP-7	↓Proliferation, ↑apoptosis	129
	MCF-7 & MDA-MB-231	↑miR-146a, ↓EGFR, ↑Bax, ↑CASP-3	↓Proliferation, ↓invasion, ↑apoptosis	138
	MCF-7	↓Survivin	↓Proliferation	132
	MCF-7/TR	↓Cyclin E2	↑Sensitization to tamoxifen	305
	MCF-7	↓Bcl-2, ↑Bax	↓Proliferation, ↑apoptosis	306
Kaempferol	MCF-7	↓pIRS-1, ↓pAkt, ↓pMEK1/2, pERK1/2, ↓cyclin D1, ↓cyclin E, ↑p21, ↓cathepsin D	↓Proliferation, ↓metastasis, ↑apoptosis	243
	MCF-7	↓Bcl-2, ↑Bax, ↑PARP cleavage	↑Apoptosis	242
	MCF-7	↓Cathepsin B, ↓cathepsin D, ↓N-cadherin, ↓snail, ↓slug, ↑E-cadherin	↓Proliferation, ↓migration, ↓invasion, ↓metastasis	307
	MDA-MB-231 & MDA-MB-453	↓RhoA, ↓Rac1	↓Migration, ↓invasion	42
	MCF-7	↑E-cadherin, ↓MMP-9, ↓MMP-2, ↓cathepsin B, ↓cathepsin D, ↓N-cadherin, ↓snail, ↓slug	↓Metastasis	244
	MCF-7	↓GLUT1, ↓MCT1	↓Proliferation, ↑cytotoxicity	241
Apigenin	MDA-MB-231	↓Cyclin A, ↓cyclin B, ↓CDK1, ↑p21^WAF1/CIP1	↓Proliferation	176
	MCF-7/ADR	↓MDR1, ↓P-gp, ↓p-STAT3, ↓VEGF, ↓MMP-9	↑Apoptosis, ↓colonization, ↓adriamycin resistance	173
	MDA-MB-231	↓TNFα, ↓CCL2, ↓GMCSF, ↓IL-1α, ↓IL-6, ↓IKBKe	↓Pro-inflammatory cytokines	163
	MDA-MB-231 & ZR75.1	↓CXCL10, ↓IL-6, ↓IL-1α, ↓IRAK1, ↓IRAK4, ↓NF-κB, ↓p38-MAPK, ↓IP10	↓Impact of senescent cells on breast cancer cells, ↓fibroblast proliferation	308
	BT-474	↓p-JAK1, ↓p-JAK2, ↓p-STAT3, ↓VEGF, ↑c-CASP-8, ↑c-CASP-3	↑Apoptosis, ↓proliferation, ↓colonization	174
	MDA-MB-468	↓Akt	↓Proliferation	177
	MDA-MB-231 & T47D	↑CASP-3, ↑c-PARP, ↑Bax, ↓Bcl-2, ↑LC3-II	↑Apoptosis, ↓proliferation, ↓colonization, ↑autophagy	309
	MCF-7/HER2 & MCF-7 vec	↑c-CASP-8, ↓p-HER-2, ↑p53, ↑p21, ↓p-JAK1, ↓p-STAT3, ↓NF-κB, ↓p-IκBα	↑Apoptosis, ↓proliferation	175
Silibinin	MCF-7 & T47D	↓miR-21, ↓Bcl-2	↑Apoptosis	149
	MCF-7	↓Maspin, ↓ERα	↓Proliferation	310
	T47D	↓hTERT, ↓cyclin D1	↓Proliferation	147
	MCF-7	↓Bcl-2, ↑p53, ↑Bax, ↑BRCA1, ↑ATM	↑Apoptosis, ↓proliferation	145
	MCF-7 & T47D	↑PTEN, ↑p21, ↓Bcl-2, ↑p27	↓Proliferation, ↑apoptosis, ↑necrosis	311
	MCF-7	↓miR-21, ↓miR-155, ↑CASP-9, ↑BID	↑Apoptosis, ↓proliferation	148
	MCF-7	↓ERα, ↓Akt, ↓mTOR, ↓ERK, ↑CASP-6, ↑p53, ↓APAF-1, ↓p62, ↑Bax, ↓Bcl-2, ↑LC3-I to LC3-II	↑Apoptosis, ↑autophagy	151
	MCF-7	↑Atg12-Atg5, ↑LC3-1 to LC3II, ↑Beclin-1, ↓Bcl-2, ↑BNIP3, ↑ROS	↑Autophagy	150
	MCF-7	↑p53, ↑p21, ↑BRCA1, ↑Bak, ↑ATM, ↓Bcl-xl	↑Apoptosis, ↓proliferation	143
	MCF-7 & MDA-MB-231	↓ERK, ↓Akt, ↓Notch-1	↑Apoptosis	312
	SKBR3	↓NF-κB	↑Apoptosis, ↓proliferation	142
	MDA-MB-468	↓EGFR, ↓VEGF, ↓COX-2, ↓MMP-9	↓Metastasis, ↓infiltration, ↓tumor volume	144
	MCF-7	↓MMP-9, ↓MEK, ↓ERK	↓Migration	141
	MDA-MB-231 & T47D	↓Wnt, ↓β-catenin, ↓LRP6	↓Proliferation	313
Pterostilbene	MDA-MB-468	↑ERK1/2, ↓cyclin D1, ↑p21, ↓Akt, ↓mTOR, ↑Bax	↑Apoptosis, ↓proliferation	189
	MCF, MDA-MB-231 & Hs578t	↑E-cadherin, ↓vimentin, ↓snail, ↓slug, ↓ZEB1, ↑miR-205, ↓Src/Fak	↓Metastasis	191
	MCF-7	↓CD44, ↑β-catenin, ↓hedgehog, ↓Akt, ↓GSK3β signalling, ↓cyclin D1, ↓c-Myc	↓bCSCs, ↓mammospheres	195
	MCF-7 & MDA-MB-231	↓NFκB, ↓vimentin, ↓Twist1, ↑E-cadherin	↓bCSCs, ↓metastasis	196
	MDA-MB-231	↓MMP-2, ↓MMP-9, ↓cortactin, ↓c-Src kinase, ↓MT1-MMP	↓Metastasis	314
Sulforaphane	SUM-149 & SUM-159	↓NF-κB p65 subunit, ↓p52	↓bCSCs, ↓mammospheres, ↓proliferation	204
	MCF-7, MDA-MB-231 & SK-BR-3	↓DNMT1, ↓DNMT3B, ↑p21, ↑p27, ↓miR92b, ↓miR-23b, ↓miR-381, ↓miR-382, ↓Akt, ↓AMPK, ↓ATP	↑Cellular senescence, ↑apoptosis, ↑autophagy	210
	MCF-7 & MDA-MB-231	↓Akt, ↓NF-κB, ↓Bcl-2	↑Apoptosis, ↑sensitization to paclitaxel	205
	MCF10DCIS.com	↓TNF-α, ↓MMP-2, ↓MMP-9, ↓MMP-13	↓Migration, ↓invasion	206
	MCF-7	↓Bcl-2, ↓COX-2	↑Apoptosis, ↓proliferation	315
	MCF-7	↓MMP-9, ↓NF-κB	↓Invasion	207
Luteolin	MDA-MB-231 (4175) LM2	↓VEGF	↓Angiogenesis, ↓lung metastasis	274
	MCF-7 & MDA-MB-231	↓p-EGFR, ↓p-STAT3, ↓p-AKT, ↓p-ERK1/2	↓Proliferation	316
	BT-474 & T47D	↓VEGF, ↓CD44, ↓ALDH	↓Angiogenesis, ↓proliferation, ↑apoptosis	317
	MDA-MB-231, BT5-49 & female nude mice	↓Vimentin, ↓slug, ↓β-catenin	↓Lung metastasis	275
	MDA-MB-231	↓Notch signalling, ↓VEGF, ↓cyclin D1, ↓MMP-2, ↓MMP-9, ↓Hes-1	↓Migration, ↓angiogenesis, ↓cell survival	318
	MCF-7 (TAM-R)	↓Cyclin E2	↓Tamoxifen resistance	278
	MDA-MB-231	↓AKT, ↓cyclin A, ↓PLK1, ↓CDC2, ↓CDK2,↓ cyclin B1, ↓Bcl-xL, ↑p21, ↑Bax, ↓EGFR, ↓MAPK	↑Apoptosis, ↓proliferation	319
	MDA-MB-231, MCF-7 & SK-BR-3	↑ERK, ↑p38, ↑CASP-3, ↑c-PARP	↑Apoptosis	320
	MCF-7	↓IGF-1, ↓Akt, ↓ERα	↑Apoptosis, ↓proliferation	321
Naringenin	MCF-7 (Tam-R)	↓MAPK, CASP-7	↑Apoptosis, ↓proliferation	322
	4T1	↓TGF-β1, ↓PKC	↓Pulmonary metastasis	323
	MDA-MB-231	↓Integrin β3, ↓MMP-2, ↓MMP-9	↓Migration & invasion	324
	HTB26 & HTB132	↓Bcl-2, ↓Cdk4, ↓Cdk6, Cdk7, ↓c-IAP-2, ↓x-IAP, ↑Bak, ↑Bax, ↑AIF, ↑CASP-3, ↑CASP-7, ↑CASP-8, ↑CASP-9, ↑p18, ↑p19, ↑p21, ↓pAkt, ↓P13K, ↓NFκB p65, ↓pIκBa	↑Apoptosis, ↓proliferation, ↑chemo-sensitization	325
	E0771	↑AMPK, ↓Bcl-2, ↓cyclin D1	↑Apoptosis, ↓proliferation	326
	MDA-MB-231	↓Survivin, ↑p21, β-catenin	↓Proliferation, ↑apoptosis	339
	MCF-7	↓P13K, ↓MAPK, ↓ERK1/2, ↓AKT, ↑CASP-7, ↑CASP-9	↑Apoptosis, ↓proliferation	328
	MCF-7, T47D & MDA-MB-231	↑CASP-3, ↓AKT, ↑p38	↑Apoptosis, ↓proliferation	329
α-Mangostin	T47D, MDA-MB-468, SKBR3 &AU565	↓Bcl-2, ↓Mcl-1, ↓P13K, ↓ERK1/2, ↓ERα, ↓HER2, ↓Akt, ↓ERK1/2, ↑p-p38, ↑p-JNK1/2, ↓MAPK	↑Apoptosis, ↓proliferation, ↓colonization	251
	MCF-7 & MDA-MB-231	↑p53, ↑Bax, ↑PARP cleavage, ↓Bcl-2, ↓Bid, ↓pS2, ↓ERα, ↑CASP-7, ↑CASP-8, ↑CASP-9	↑Apoptosis, ↓proliferation	254
	MCF-7 & MDA-MB-231	↓FASN, ↓FAK, ↓pAKT, ↑Bcl-2, ↓Bax, ↑p-ERK1/2	↑Apoptosis	253
	MDA-MB-231	↑CASP-3	↑Apoptosis, ↓proliferation	252
	MDA-MB-231	↑ p21^cip1, ↑CASP-3, ↑CASP-8, ↑CASP-9, ↑CHEK2, ↓CDKs, ↓PCNA, ↓cdc(s)	↑Apoptosis	255
Thymoquinone	MCF-7, T47D & EMT6/p	↓VEGF, ↑IFN-γ, ↑IL-4	↓Angiogenesis, ↑apoptosis, ↓proliferation	118
	MCF-7	↓hsa04310 (Wnt), ↑hsa04115 (p53), ↓hsa04151 (P13K/AKT), ↓hsa04010 (MAPK)	↑Apoptosis	153
	MCF-7	↑p53	↑Apoptosis	331
	EMT6/p	↓VEGF, ↑IFN-γ, ↓IL-4, ↓AST, ↓ALT	↑Apoptosis, ↓proliferation, ↑necrosis, ↓angiogenesis	158
	MCF-7	↑PTPRR, ↓MAPK, ↓p38-MAPK, ↑TGF-β, ↓TP53, ↓Bcl-2, ↓CARD16, ↓EGF-EGFR, ↓GPCR	↑Apoptosis	152
	MCF-7	↑Bax, ↑p21, ↑Maspin, ↓Bcl-2, ↓HDAC	↑Apoptosis, ↓proliferation, ↓migration	155
	4T1, PMEF & Balb/c mice	↑BRCA1, ↑p21, ↑HIC1, ↑CASP-3, ↑CASP-7, ↑CASP-12, ↑PARP, ↓p65, ↓p-Akt1	↑Apoptosis, ↓proliferation, ↓migration	157
	MCF7 & MDA-MB-231	↑TGF-β, ↑E-cadherin, ↑cytokeratin 19, ↓MMP-2, ↓MMP-9, ↓integrin αV, ↓snail, ↓Twist, ↓Smad2, ↓NF-κB	↑Apoptosis, ↓proliferation, ↓migration, ↓invasion, ↓colonization, ↑sensitization to radiation	154
	MCF-7, T47D, MDA-MB-231 & MDA-MB-468	↓Cyclin D1, ↓cyclin E, ↓p27, ↓survivin, ↓Bcl-xl, ↓Bcl-2, ↑Bax, ↑PARP, ↑procaspase-3, ↑Cyt c, ↓Akt, ↑PTEN, ↓PDK1	↑Apoptosis, ↓proliferation, ↓viability	332
Isoliquiritigenin	MCF-7, MDA-MB-231, 4T1, BT474, MCF-10A	↓miR-374a, ↑PTEN, ↓Akt, ↑Bax, ↓Bcl-2, ↑c-CASP-9, ↑Cyt C, ↑MMP-7, ↓p-GSK3β, ↓β-catenin	↑Apoptosis, ↓proliferation, ↓lung metastasis, ↓migration, ↓invasion	181
	MDA-MB-231 & Hs-578T	↓miR-21, ↓STAT3	↓Invasion	184
	MDA-MB-231 & Hs-578T	↑RECK, ↓miR-21	↓Invasion	185
	MCF-7 & MDA-MB-231, MMTV-PyMT mice	↓DNMT1, ↓β-catenin, ↑WIF1, ↓Wnt, ↓β-catenin, ↓Cyclin D1, ↓Survivin, ↓C-Myc, Oct-4	↓Proliferation, ↓lung metastasis, ↓initiation & progression, ↓bCSCs & its self-renewal	187
	BT549 & MDA-MB-231	↓COX-2, ↓CYP 4A, ↓PGE2, ↓PLA2, ↑cleaved caspase-3 & −9	↓Metastasis, ↑apoptosis, ↑anoikis	333
	BT549, MCF-7 & MDA-MB-231	↓β-catenin, ↓ABCG2, ↓GRP78, ↑proteasome degradation pathway, ↓CD44^+CD24^−/low, ↓Survivin, ↓Cyclin D1, ↓Oct-4, ↓c-Myc, ↓GSK-3β,	↓Proliferation, ↓colonization, ↑apoptosis, ↓bCSCs self-renewal & differentiation, ↑chemosensitization	188
	MCF-7, MCF-7/ADR & MCF-10A	↓miR-25, ↓ABCG2, ↑ULK1, ↑LC3-II	↓proliferation, ↑chemosensitization, ↓colonization	186
	MDA-MB-231	↓VEGF, ↓HIF-1α, ↓MMP-2, ↓MMP-9, ↓p38, ↓Akt, ↓NF-κB, ↓P13K	↓Migration, ↓proliferation, ↓angiogenesis	48
3,3′-Diindolylmethane	MCF-7	↓EMT, ↓CXCR4, ↓N-cadherin, ↑E-cadherin, ↓snail, ↓slug, ↓cathepsin B, ↓cathepsin D, ↓MMP-2, ↓MMP-9	↓Metastasis, ↓proliferation	264
	MCF-7 & T47D	↑p21	↓Proliferation	334
	MDA-MB-231	↓Akt	↓Proliferation	266
Ginsenosides	MCF-7	↓CASP1, ↓INSL5, ↓OR52A1, ↑CLINT1, ↑ST3GAL4, ↑C1orf198	↓Proliferation, ↑apoptosis	52
	MDA-MB-453, MDA-MB-231 & BT-549	↓NF-κB, ↓Bcl-2, ↑Bax, ↑CASP-3	↑Chemosensitization, ↑apoptosis, ↓proliferation	215
	T47D & BT-474	↑AMPK	↓Proliferation	218
	MCF-7	↓MMP-2, ↓MMP-9, ↓mTOR, ↓Akt, ↓p62, ↓JNK, ↓P13K, ↓VEGFA, ↓VEGFB, ↓VEGFC, ↓Beclin-1, ↑LC3-II	↓Angiogenesis, ↓invasion, ↑autophagy	217
	4T1	↓miR-18a, ↓Smad2	↓Metastasis	335
	MCF-7 & MDA-MB-453	↑p21^WAF1/cip1, ↑p53, ↑p15^INK4B, ↓CDK4, ↓cyclin E2, ↓Cyclin D1, ↑CASP-6, ↑CASP-7, ↑CASP-8, ↑CASP-9, ↑p38 MAPKs, ↑Bax, ↑DR4, ↑DR5, ↓survivin, ↑PARP	↓Proliferation, ↑apoptosis	219
	MDA-MB-231	↓NF-κB, ↓Akt, ↓ERK	↓Proliferation, ↑apoptosis	216
Benzyl isothiocyanate	MDA-MB-231, MCF-7, MDA-MB-468, T47D, HBL-100, Hs578t, BT474	↑ERK, ↑p53, ↑LKB1, ↑p73, ↓Ki-67, ↓survivin, ↓XIAP, ↑p-ERK, ↑CREB phosphorylation, ↓PRAS40 phosphorylation	↓Proliferation, ↑apoptosis, ↓colonization	39
	SUM159, MCF-7 & MDA-MB-231	↑KLF4	↓bCSCs	336
	SUM159, MDA-MB-231, MCF-7, & MDA-MB-361	↓BMI-1, ↓ALDH1, ↑Notch-4	↓bCSCs, ↑apoptosis, ↓migration	162
	MDA-MB-231, MCF-7 & SUM159	↓Ron, ↓sfRon, ↑SOX-2, ↑Nanog, ↑Oct-4, ↓ALDH1	↓bCSCs, ↓mammospheres	161
	MDA-MB-231, MCF-7 & SUM159	↑Notch2	↓Migration	337
	MCF-7, MDA-MB-231, MDA-MB-468, MCF-10A	↑FOXO1, ↓p62, ↓mTOR, ↑LC3-II	↑Autophagy, ↓viability	338
	MDA-MB-231	↓uPA, ↑PAI-1, ↓NF-κB, ↓p-Akt, ↓c-Met phosphorylation	↓Migration & invasion	160
Secoisolariciresinol	MCF-7	↑Erk1/2, ↑PI3K/Akt expression	Modulate estradiol effect (possibly ↓cell proliferation)	221
	MCF-7	↓ERα and PR expression, ↑estradiol secretion	Modulate estradiol effect (possibly ↓cell proliferation)	222
	MCF-7	Opposite action of ENL and END on telomerase activity	Possible opposite effect on cell division	223
	MDA-MB-231	↓uPA-induced plasmin activation ↓MMP-2 and MMP-9 (ECM-mediated remodelling)	↓Proliferation, ↓migration, ↓metastasis	225
	MDA-MB-231	↓Ki-67, PCNA & FoxM1 gene expression ↓cyclin A2, B1, B2 & E1 gene expression ↓phosphorylation of FAK/paxillin pathway	↓Proliferation	224
	SKBR3, MDA-MB-231	↑Cytotoxic effects of chemotherapeutic agents ↓FASN expression and activity	Improve efficiency of chemotherapeutic agents	220
	MCF7, MDA-MB-231	↑Cytotoxic effects of chemotherapeutic agents ↓GSTP1 expression and activity	↓Cell growth, ↑apoptosis improve efficiency of chemotherapeutic agents	232
	Animal models (ACI rats)	↓Ki-67 gene expression ↓SHBG & IGFBP-3 serum levels, ↑ESR2 (ERβ)	↓Tumor progression and burden ↓cell proliferation & disphasia	226

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Fig. 6 Regulation of molecular targets by curcumin in breast cancer cells. Idea adopted from Liu and Chen (2013).³⁹⁶

Recently, curcumin was shown to induce apoptosis in MCF-7 cells through increased caspase-3 and caspase-9 expressions. Additionally, this compound suppressed miR-21 expression via up-regulation of PTEN/Akt signalling.⁶⁶ Curcumin also reduced the proliferation of MCF-7 cells by decreasing nitric oxide and ROS levels. Synergistic anti-proliferative effect was observed when ECM proteins: fibronectin or collagen were used along with curcumin.⁶⁷ Moreover, the compound upregulated Bax and downregulated Bcl-2 expressions in MDA-MB-231 cells, leading to growth inhibition and apoptosis induction.⁶⁸ Fatty acid synthase inhibition by curcumin also resulted in breast cancer cells apoptosis.⁶⁹ Curcumin downregulated flap endonuclease 1 (DNA repair enzyme) expression via Nrf2 stimulation thereby reduced the proliferation of MCF-7 cells.⁷⁰

Similarly, curcumin inhibited the nuclear translocation of β-catenin, hence impeded the trans-activation of slug and subsequent restoration of E-cadherin which led to increased formation of E-cadherin/β-catenin complex and more β-catenin in cytosol to finally suppress bCSCs migration and EMT.⁷¹ Recently, hypomethylation reactivation of tumor suppressors by curcumin has also been presented. The compound reversed the hypermethylation status of Glutathione S-Transferase Pi 1 (GSTP1) gene in MCF-7 cells, leading to its reactivation.⁷² Likewise, it also activated Deleted in Liver Cancer 1 (DLC1) promoter by decreasing its methylation level via down-regulation of Sp1 transcription factor to constrain the expression of DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) in MDA-MB-361 cells.⁷³ Curcumin was also shown to decrease the methylation status of tumor suppressor termed as Ras-association domain family protein 1A (RASSF1A), thereby activating it. This was achieved through interference of curcumin with DNMT1.⁷⁴

Co-treatment of curcumin with other drugs/phytochemicals have greatly enhanced their therapeutic efficacy in various malignancies, including breast cancer. Recently, the combined effect of curcumin and metformin (oral anti-diabetic drug) was explored in breast cancer cell lines which markedly suppressed VEGF expression, activated Th2 immune response and induced Trp53-independent apoptosis.⁷⁵ Similarly, arabinogalactan—a polysaccharide obtained from larch wood—in combination with curcumin induced in vivo and in vitro apoptosis in breast cancer cells by increasing reactive oxygen species (ROS), cleaved-caspase-3 and Bax/Bcl-2 ratio. Reduced glutathione, p53 overexpression and a change in mitochondrial membrane were also observed.^76,77 Curcumin synergistically enhanced the effects of retinoic acid (RA) and IFN-β on breast cancer cells by upregulating GRIM-19 (cell death regulatory gene) via STAT3-dependent and- independent pathways.⁷⁸ RA induction of apoptosis via CRABPII/RAR signalling pathway has been reported and curcumin was recently shown to upregulate CRABPII and RAR thus overcoming RA-resistance in TNBC cell lines.⁷⁹ Similarly, curcumin sensitized MDR breast cancer cells to cisplatin via downregulation of CCAT1 and inactivation of P13K/Akt/mTOR pathway.⁸⁰ Moreover, curcumin chemosensitized breast cancer cells to 5-fluorocuracil (drug which exerts its action by inhibiting thymidylate synthase (TS)) through TS-dependent downregulation of NF-κB.⁸¹

Curcumin inhibited the invasion and adhesion of MCF-7 cells by reducing the expression of uPA via activation of NF-κB.⁸² Furthermore, the compound suppressed lysophosphatidic acid-induced invasion and metastasis in MCF-7 cells by interfering with RhoA/ROCK/MMPs pathway.⁸³ Similarly, inhibition of angiogenesis and tumor growth through downregulation of NF-κB and its related gene products like PECAM-1, p65 and cyclin D1 by curcumin in MDA-MB-231 cells has also been reported.⁸⁴ Curcumin upregulated p16^INK4A and several other tumor suppressors, inhibited JAK2 and STAT3 pathways, leading to decreased α-smooth muscle actin and invasion/migration abilities of breast cancer-associated fibroblasts. Curcumin also suppressed lamin B1 and triggered p16^INK4A-dependent senescence in these fibroblasts.⁸⁵ Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) possess a significant part in remodelling of the extracellular matrix. Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) regulate the activities of MMPs. Curcumin regulated cell metastasis by up-regulating expression of TIMP1/4 genes and inhibiting MMP-2 and MMP-9 in breast cancer cells.⁸⁶ Mo et al. (2012) revealed that curcumin inhibit invasion of MDA-MB-231 cells via reduction of p-ERK and Smad2 signalling.⁸⁷ The compound also affected genes related to Epithelial–Mesenchymal Transition (EMT), leading to reduced expression of β-catenin, N-cadherin, E-cadherin, Twist1, slug, AXL, fibronectin and vimentin, subsequently inhibiting migration and invasion in breast cancer cells.⁸⁸ Other pathways and genes modulated by curcumin are presented in Table 2.

3.2. Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)

EGCG—a polyphenol and predominant catechin in green tea (Camellia sinensis)—has long been studied for its health benefits, including cancer chemoprevention. Sinha et al. (2017) have recently reviewed the role of green tea and its constituents in breast cancer chemoprevention. EGCG induced anti-proliferative, anti-metastatic, apoptotic, anti-angiogenic, anti-genotoxic and epigenetic effects by targeting several pathways and genes.³⁶ There is also evidence that topical EGCG prevented radiation-induced dermatitis in breast cancer patients, thus making it a radio-protective agent.^89–91

EGCG induced apoptosis through downregulation of telomerase and P13K/AKT and increased Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and p53 expression in T47D cells. The expression of hTERT gene was decreased while that of CASP3, CASP9 and PTEN was increased.⁹² Huang et al. (2017) also observed an increase in p53 and decrease in Bcl-2 in MCF-7 cells.⁹³ Moreover, EGCG suppressed the growth of MDA-MB-231 cells through downregulation of β-catenin, cyclin D1 and pAkt.⁹⁴ In tumor microenvironment, tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) carry a significant role. EGCG reduced TAM infiltration and M2 macrophage polarization by upregulating miR-16, thereby decreased tumor growth in murine breast cancer model.⁹⁵

EGCG suppressed heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) and promoted the translocation of progesterone receptor B (PR-B) into the nucleus, consequently resulting in downregulation of ERα.⁹⁶ Physiological concentrations of EGCG inhibited the growth of ERα-positive MCF-7 cells through reduction in ERα and insulin-like growth factor (IGF) binding protein 2 and increased p53 and p21 (tumour suppressors).⁹⁷ Furthermore, the compound downregulated expression of ER-α36 and thus suppressed the growth of ER-negative breast cancer stem/progenitor cells.⁹⁸

EGCG sensitized MCF-7 cells to 5-fluorouracil by regulating the expression of Bcl-xL.⁹⁹ The compound also achieved sensitization to tamoxifen by reducing the expression of Nrf2 (transcription factor) in tamoxifen-resistant MCF-7 cells.¹⁰⁰ Similarly, a reduction in MMP-2 and MMP-9 in doxorubicin resistant MCF-7 cells has also been observed.¹⁰¹

3.3. Genistein

Genistein—a phytoestrogen in soybeans—primarily exerts its function by interacting with estrogen receptors (ERα & ERβ).¹⁰² Varinska et al. (2015) reviewed the molecular targets regulated by genistein in cancer cells, with special preference to angiogenesis (Fig. 7).³⁹⁷ Genistein repressed the differentiation and proliferation of 3T3-L1 and MCF-7 cells by regulating the expression of ERα.¹⁰³ It also reactivated ERα expression by remodelling its promoter chromatin structure and inhibited the growth of ERα-negative breast cancer cells. This epigenetic restoration of ERα further enhanced the therapeutic efficacy of tamoxifen.¹⁰⁴ Additionally, the compound reduced the expression of ERα and c-erB-2, consequently inhibiting the proliferation of ERα/c-erB-2-positive breast cancer cells.¹⁰⁵ Genistein also induced apoptosis in MCF-7 and T47D cells via downregulation of CIP2A (cancerous inhibitor of PP2A).¹⁰⁶ A phosphoproteomic level study using TNBC cells revealed that several biological processes are regulated by genistein during cell cycle such as kinetochore formation, cohesion complex cleavage and DNA replication. Moreover, DNA damage response involving BRCA1 complex and ATR can also be activated by genistein.¹⁰⁷

Fig. 7 Molecular targets regulated by genistein in cancer cells. Downward arrows (↓) represent decrease of activity/expression/secretion while upward arrows (↑) represent increase of activity/expression/secretion. Idea adopted from Varinska et al. (2015).³⁹⁷

Genistein resulted in reactivation of several tumor suppressor genes such as adenomatous polyposis coli (APC), mammary serpin peptidase inhibitor (SERPINB5), ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) and PTEN in breast cancer cell lines by decreasing their methylation status. This was accomplished through reduced expression of DNMT1 by genistein.¹⁰⁸ Moreover, it also suppressed cyclin D1 and DNMT-1 in MCF-7 cells, leading to BRCA1 CpG demethylation and consequent reactivation of BRCA1.⁴⁰ Prepubertal exposure to Bisphenol A (BPA) changes the signalling pathways which may add to carcinogenesis, as revealed by DNA methylation studies. Conversely, prepubertal exposure to genistein or genistein + BPA resulted in hypomethylation of several genes in rat mammary tissues out of which HPSE and RPS9 genes were linked with enhanced long term survival, thus emphasizing cancer preventive properties of genistein.¹⁰⁹ In another study, lifetime genistein intake improved response of mammary tumors to tamoxifen resistance in Sprague-Dawley rats and also reduced the risk of recurrence. Genistein administration downregulated the unfolded protein response (UPR) and genes linked to autophagy such as ATF4, GRP78, Beclin-1 and IRE1α, as well as, immunosuppression-linked genes like Foxp3 and TGFβ and upregulated CD8a (cytotoxic T-cell marker) in tumors. This demonstrates that the enhanced response to endocrine therapy was pre-programmed early in life.¹¹⁰

Avci et al. (2015) found that genistein suppress the growth of MCF-7 cells via upregulation of miR-23b.¹¹¹ Furthermore, it inhibited NF-κB via Notch-1 signalling and reduced the growth of TNBC cells.¹¹¹ Long-term low-dose genistein administration sensitized inflammatory breast cancer cell lines to radiation and reduced mammosphere formation and the growth of stem cell populations.¹¹² Downregulation of Hedgehog–Gli1 signalling by genistein is also linked with reduced bCSCs.¹¹³

3.4. Resveratrol

Resveratrol (RSV)—a phytoestrogen mainly produced by grapes, berries and peanuts in response to stress conditions—has also been explored well for its anti-malignant properties. Sinha et al. (2016) comprehensively reviewed the effect of RSV on breast cancer cells.³⁹⁸ RSV regulate various molecular targets underlying breast cancer cells proliferation, apoptosis, EMT/metastasis, as well as, epigenetic responses and sensitization to chemotherapy (Fig. 8).³⁹⁸ Recently, RSV was found to induce the expression of ATPase sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum Ca²⁺ transporting 3 (ATP2A3)—gene encoding enzyme which maintains homeostasis of intracellular Ca²⁺ by pumping it into endoplasmic reticulum (ER)—in breast cancer cells, thereby induced apoptosis, reduced cell viability and caused alteration in cytosolic levels of Ca²⁺ along with its releasing capacity by ER.¹¹⁴ RSV induced apoptosis in human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive SKBR-3 cells via suppression of fatty acid synthase and HER2 genes. The compound also up-regulated PTEN expression and down-regulated Akt phosphorylation (pAkt), thereby alleviated P13K/Akt/mTOR pathway.¹¹⁵ RSV prevented breast cancer cell invasion by directly inactivating RhoA which in turn phosphorylated YAP via Lats1 activation, leading to reduced expression of YAP gene.¹¹⁶ Moreover, it downregulated the polo-like kinase-1 and aurora kinase A (cell cycle regulatory proteins), cyclin D1 and cyclin B1, thereby suppressed cell cycle in breast cancer cells.¹¹⁷

Fig. 8 Resveratrol-mediated regulation of molecular targets underlying breast cancer cells proliferation, apoptosis, EMT/metastasis, epigenetic responses and sensitization to chemotherapy. Downward arrows (↓) represent downregulation while upward arrows (↑) represent upregulation. Idea adopted from Sinha et al. (2016).³⁹⁸

Combination of RSV with other compounds greatly improved its efficacy and bioavailability. Co-treatment of thymoquinone and RSV increased apoptosis, induced geographic necrosis, reduced VEGF and increased serum levels of IFN-γ in breast cancer cell lines.¹¹⁸ Likewise, combination with salinomycin markedly enhanced the anti-cancer properties of RSV in breast cancer cells via downregulation of canonical Wnt signalling proteins and vimentin.¹¹⁹ Similarly, RSV and pterostilbene reactivated the expression of ERα in ERα-negative breast cancer cell lines by increasing active chromatin markers such as acetyl-H3lysine9 and acetyl-H3/4 in ERα promoter region. Reduction in the activity of DNMT and level of 5-methylcytosine along with alteration in histone acetyl transferase and HDAC were also noted.¹²⁰ Enhanced apoptosis of MCF-7 cells occurred when Sorafenib (drug inhibitor of angiogenesis and tyrosine kinase) was used in combination with RSV. The treatment induced the expression of p53, enhanced intracellular ROS generation and Bax/Bcl-2 expressions while reduced mitochondrial membrane potential. Moreover, downregulation of cyclin B1 and cyclin D1 also occurred while cleaved caspase-3, -9, cleaved poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) and apaf-1 were found to be upregulated.¹²¹ RSV and rapamycin prevented mTORC1 (mechanistic target of rapamycin), autophagy and Akt activation, consequently instigating apoptosis in breast cancer cells.¹²² Co-treatment with melatonin inhibited aromatase, thus making them suitable for hormonal treatment of breast cancer.¹²³ RSV also sensitized resistant MCF-7/DOX cells to doxorubicin via downregulation of MDR1.¹²⁴ Furthermore, the compound enhanced the cellular accumulation of doxorubicin by reducing ABC transporter genes, MRP1 and MDR1 in resistant breast cancer cells.⁵⁴ In another study, down-regulation of HSP27 by RSV has been linked with sensitization to doxorubicin in resistant MCF-7 cells.¹²⁵ Similarly, RSV chemosensitized resistant MCF-7 cells to tamoxifen by modulating Smad phosphorylation and endogenous TGF-β production,¹²⁶ and to melphalan by arresting cell cycle at S phase.¹²⁷

Resveratrol modulation of microRNAs has also been observed. Venkatadri et al. (2016) demonstrated that the compound modulate crucial tumor-suppressive microRNAs such as miR-122-5p, miR-125b-5p, miR-409-3p, miR-542-3p and miR-200c-3p in breast cancer cells. These microRNAs regulate key cell cycle and anti-apoptotic proteins like X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein, Bcl-2 and CDKs.¹²⁸

3.5. Quercetin

Quercetin—a well-researched and potential chemopreventive agent ubiquitous in plant foods—suppressed the growth of T47D cells by inhibiting the gene expression and secretion of leptin, thus making leptin a novel target in breast cancer therapy.¹²⁹ The compound increased Bax and decreased Bcl-2 proteins expressions in MCF-7 cells. In the presence of Nec-1 (necroptosis inhibitor), the expression of Bax and apoptotic index decreased and an increase in proliferation and viability of MCF-7 cells occurred, suggesting that the death pathway mainly involve necroptosis.¹³⁰ Additionally, quercetin induced apoptosis in TNBC cells by reducing the expressions of β-catenin and fatty acid synthase (FASN).⁴⁴ Similarly, the compound displayed apoptotic activity in MCF-7 cells by inhibiting Twist through p38MAPK pathway.¹³¹ Likewise, anti-proliferative and apoptotic activity in MCF-7 cells via reduced survivin expression and Go/G1-phase arrest was also reported.¹³²

Combination therapy of quercetin and ascorbic acid (vitamin C) along with therapeutic drugs such as paclitaxel or doxorubicin markedly enhanced their anti-cancer properties in breast cancer cells by significant reduction in S and Go/G1 phases.¹³³ Quercetin downregulated Her-2 and upregulated ERα, thereby reversed tamoxifen resistance in MCF-7 cells.¹³⁴ Pentagalloylglucose (5GG), which shows structural resemblance to (−)-EGCG, in combination with quercetin persuaded S-phase arrest and caused apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 cells via decreased expression of S-phase kinase, while G2/M-phase arrest and apoptosis in AU565 cells occurred through reduced expression of Her-2.¹³⁵

Quercetin revealed anti-metastatic property in TNBC cells by modulating EMT markers. It increased E-cadherin and decreased vimentin, leading to mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition, associated with modulation of cyclin D1 and c-Myc (β-catenin target genes) and a change in β-catenin nuclear localization.¹³⁶ The calcineurin/NFAT pathway play a key role in angiogenesis which was inhibited by quercetin in breast cancer xenograft via downregulation of VEGF, VEGFR2 and NFATc3.¹³⁷ Quercetin up-regulated miR-146a and prevented proliferation in breast cancer cells. The compound also inhibited invasion via EGFR suppression and induced mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis.¹³⁸

3.6. Silibinin

Silibinin—a main active constituent of silymarin complex extracted from Silybum marianum—has a potent hepatoprotective activity.¹³⁹ The compound also displayed anticancer properties and prevented breast cancer cells metastasis through inhibition of CXCR4 (chemokine receptor type 4).¹⁴⁰ Moreover, it suppressed the migration of MCF-7 cells and markedly reduced MMP-9 expression via inhibition of p-ERK and p-MEK.¹⁴¹ It also inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis in ERα-negative SKBR3 cells via suppression of NF-κB.¹⁴² Silibinin decreased p53, p21, Bcl-xL, Bak and BRCA1 in MCF-7 cells, thereby induced apoptosis and prevented proliferation.¹⁴³ Furthermore, it conveyed anti-tumorigenic property in TNBC xenograft model by inhibiting the phosphorylation of EGFR and subsequently suppressing VEGF, MMP-9 and COX-2.¹⁴⁴

Co-treatment of silibinin with cisplatin or paclitaxel increased early apoptosis by decreasing Bcl-2 and increasing mRNA levels of Bax, ATM, BRCA1 and p53 in MCF-7 cells.¹⁴⁵ Silibinin also sensitized resistant breast cancer cells to paclitaxel and doxorubicin through inhibition of the key oncogenic pathways encompassing ERK, AKT and STAT3 in doxorubicin-resistant MDA-MB-435 cells and paclitaxel-resistant MCF-7 cells at 400 μM concentration.¹⁴⁶ Similarly, silibinin and chrysin synergistically inhibited proliferation of T47D cells via downregulation of cyclin D1 and hTERT.¹⁴⁷

Silibinin reduced proliferation of MCF-7 cells via down-regulation of miR-155 and miR-21 and induced apoptosis through intrinsic and extrinsic pathways by upregulating their apoptotic targets such as BID and CASP-9.¹⁴⁸ However, Jahanafrooz et al. (2017) presented that down-regulation of miR-21 upon silibinin treatment has minimal effect on its anti-tumorigenic property in breast cancer cells and that other pathways are responsible for its anti-apoptotic affect.¹⁴⁹

Silibinin exerted autophagic cell death in MCF-7 cells via ROS-dependent mitochondrial dysfunction (ΔΨm) and a reduction in ATP levels involving BNIP3 (Bcl-2 interacting protein 3, a member of pro-death Bcl-2 protein family).¹⁵⁰ However, according to Zheng et al. (2015), the anti-apoptotic and autophagy induction properties of silibinin in ERα-positive MCF-7 cells are due to down-regulation of ERα expression and subsequent inhibition of ERK and mTOR signalling pathways.¹⁵¹

3.7. Thymoquinone

Thymoquinone (TQ)—an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-cancerous and cytotoxic constituent in black seed oil—has also been investigated in breast cancer therapy. The compound led to differential expression of apoptosis related genes in ER-positive (MCF-7) cells. Up-regulation of PTPRR gene resulted in inhibition of p38-MAPK and MAPK pathways. Inhibition of p38-MAPK triggered down-regulation of Bcl-2 and up-regulation of TP53 which indicates that intrinsic apoptotic pathway is involved. Moreover, participation of caspase in apoptosis was confirmed through downregulation of CARD16 gene.¹⁵² Recently, the effect of TQ on miRNA profile and molecular mechanism using MCF-7 cells was highlighted and it was found that hsa04310 (Wnt), hsa04115 (p53), hsa04151 (P13K/AKT) and hsa04010 (MAPK) are the key targets of the compound.¹⁵³ TQ pre-sensitization restored cytokeratin 19 and E-cadherin (epithelial markers), as well as, MMP-2, MMP-9, integrin-αV (mesenchymal markers) and TGF-β in radiation-induced metastatic progression of breast cancer.¹⁵⁴ TQ also exerted anticancer action in breast cancer cells by attenuating the activity of global histone deacetylase (HDAC). The compound increased Bax, decreased Bcl-2, reactivated HDAC target genes (maspin and p21) and induced G2/M phase arrest.¹⁵⁵

TQ and tamoxifen synergistically induced apoptosis and decreased cell viability in both estrogen positive (MCF-7) and estrogen negative (MDA-MB-231) cell lines.¹⁵⁶ The compound sensitized breast cancer cells to paclitaxel through multiple cascades involving extrinsic apoptosis, p53 signalling and tumor suppressor genes. Moreover, TQ regulated apoptosis inducible genes through death receptors and upregulated tumor suppressor genes including BRCA1, p21 and Hic1. Additionally, high doses of TQ downregulated pro-apoptotic factors like caspases and upregulated growth factors such as EGF and VEGF.¹⁵⁷ Likewise, co-treatment of thymoquinone and melatonin greatly decreased tumor size via induction of apoptosis, activation of Th1 immune response and inhibition of angiogenesis.¹⁵⁸

3.8. Benzyl isothiocyanate

Benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC)—an isothiocyanate from cruciferous vegetables—exhibit anti-carcinogenic effect. BITC induced apoptosis in breast cancer cells by altering mitochondrial dynamics. The compound greatly reduced levels of Drp1, p-S616, Fis1 (fission proteins) and Mfn1, Mf2 (fusion proteins) in breast cancer cells, suggesting that it negatively target the fission and fusion machinery of mitochondrial dynamics. Furthermore, it was shown that multi-domain pro-apoptotic proteins Bak and Bax regulated the BITC-mediated inhibition of mitochondrial fusion.¹⁵⁹ BITC triggered p53-signalling network and repressed p53-mutant cells growth. The compound induced expression of p73 in these mutant cells, interrupting the interaction of mutant-p53 and p73 and subsequently emancipating p73 from sequestration and permitting it to be active transcriptionally. In molecular mechanisms, liver kinase B1 (LKB1), a tumour suppressor, was found to be a key node underlying the anti-cancer role of the compound. The p73 and p53 transcriptionally upregulated LKB1 in a mutant- and wild-type-p53 breast cancer cells, respectively. Furthermore, it was elucidated that LKB1 tethers with p73 and p53 in a feed-forward mechanism for recruitment into p53-responsive gene promoters.³⁹ BITC also suppressed the migration and invasion of MDA-MB-231 cells through decreased uPA activity and reduction of p-Akt.¹⁶⁰

Truncated Recepteur d'Origine Nantais (sfRON) was also found as a novel mechanistic target for induction of apoptosis in breast cancer cells. BITC induced apoptosis in MDA-MB-361 and MCF-7 cells by regulating sfRON, whereby overexpression of sfRON in these cells intensified apoptosis, independent of JNK or MAPK hyperphosphorylation. Moreover, activation of Bak and Bax in sfRON overexpressing cells following BITC treatment were greatly enhanced while G2/M phase arrest and ROS generation were attenuated.¹⁵⁹ However, according to Kim et al. (2013), full-length RON and sfRON overexpression offered protection against inhibition of bCSCs by BITC in MCF-7 cells and down-regulation of RON and its truncated form are associated with breast cancer stem cells inhibition by BITC.¹⁶¹ BITC inhibited bCSCs via downregulation of oncogene BMI-1 (Polycomb complex protein) and activation of Notch-4 in in vivo and in vitro breast cancer cells.¹⁶²

3.9. Apigenin

Apigenin—a well-known anti-inflammatory flavonoid in parsley and variety of other plants—suppressed TNFα-mediated release of chemokines including CCL2, IL-1α, IL-6, and granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor in TNBC cells. These chemokines direct the inward migration/infiltration of tumor-associated neutrophils, T-regulatory cells, tumor-associated macrophages, T-helper IL-17-producing cells, myeloid-derived suppressor cells, cancer-associated fibroblasts and metastasis-associated macrophages, which collectively enables tumor growth, immune evasion, metastasis and angiogenesis. The inhibition of CCL2 by apigenin occurred through suppression of IKBKe signalling.^163–172 Apigenin overcame drug resistance and decreased colonization and cell growth in adriamycin-resistant MCF-7 cells via downregulation of MDR1 and P-glycoprotein, as well as, suppression of STAT3 signalling and its nuclear translocation. The compound also diminished the secretion of MMP-9 and VEGF (STAT3 target genes) in these cells.¹⁷³

Moreover, apigenin inhibited the proliferation and clonogenic survival of HER2-expressing BT-474 cells via caspase-dependent extrinsic apoptosis by upregulating cleaved caspase-3, cleaved caspase-8 and PARP cleavage. The compound decreased phospho-STAT3, phospho-JAK1 and phospho-JAK2 and prevented CoCl₂-induced VEGF secretion and STAT3 nuclear translocation in HER2-expressing breast cancer cells.¹⁷⁴ The same authors also mentioned before that apigenin induce apoptosis in HER2-overexpressing MCF-7 cells via extrinsic pathway, inhibit NF-κB and STAT3 and induce p53.¹⁷⁵

Mechanism behind induction of cell cycle arrest by apigenin in MDA-MB-231 cells was also pointed out and it was shown that the compound suppress cyclin dependent kinase-1 (CDK1), cyclin A and cyclin B which are vital for G2-to-M-phase transition in cell cycle. Furthermore, apigenin increased p21^WAF1/CIP1 and its interaction with proliferating cell nuclear antigen, thus obstructing cell cycle progression. Moreover, inhibition of histone deacetylase activity and an increase in acetylated histone H3 was also observed.¹⁷⁶ Harrison et al. (2014) reported that apigenin reduce the proliferation of MDA-MB-468 cells by arresting cell cycle at G2/M phase and enhancing ROS production. Additionally, the compound reduced p-Akt.¹⁷⁷

3.10. Isoliquiritigenin

Isoliquiritigenin (ISL)—a flavonoid mostly found in the root of liquorice—exhibits anti-cancer properties at multistage carcinogenesis processes such as cell cycle arrest, proliferation suppression, apoptosis induction, metastasis obstruction and angiogenesis inhibition in different kinds of cancer.^178–183

Peng et al. (2017) proposed that ISL induces apoptosis and prevent metastasis in breast cancer cells via downregulation of miR-374a. Decreased expression of miR-374a led to increased PTEN expression which prevented abnormal Akt signalling.¹⁸¹ ISL transcriptionally downregulated the expression of primary and mature miR-21 and decreased STAT3 signalling activity in breast cancer cells.¹⁸⁴ The compound also suppressed breast cancer cells invasion by upregulating RECK (tumor suppressor gene) and downregulating miR-21.¹⁸⁵ Moreover, ISL caused cell cycle arrest, chemosensitized and induced autophagy in MCF-7/ADR cells and also stimulated the degradation of ABCG2 through autophagy-lysosome pathway. Autophagy induction was associated with inhibition of miR-25 which led to increased expression of ULK1 (a kinase involved in autophagy).¹⁸⁶ ISL treatment inhibited NF-κB, P13K/Akt and p38, ensuing decreased expressions of MMP-2, MMP-9, VEGF and HIF-1α which reduced the migration of breast cancer cells.⁴⁸

ISL encouraged the demethylation of WIF1 promoter by docking into the catalytic domain of DNMT1, thereby increasing the gene expression of WIF1 and subsequently prevented mammary carcinogenesis by inhibiting bCSCs.¹⁸⁷ The compound also chemosensitized bCSCs by inhibiting β-catenin/ABCG2 signalling via docking into ATP domain of GRP78 (binding immunoglobulin protein), resulting in inhibition of its ATPase activity and subsequent dissociation from β-catenin.¹⁸⁸

3.11. Pterostilbene

Pterostilbene—resveratrol analogue extracted from blueberries—markedly inhibited the growth and induced apoptosis in TNBC cells through G0/G1 phase arrest. The compound maintained the activation of ERK1/2, associated with decreased cyclin D1 and increased p21 expressions. Moreover, it also repressed p-AKT and mTOR and a subsequently increased Bax protein without affecting Bcl-xL.¹⁸⁹ Pterostilbene enhanced TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL)-induced apoptosis in TNBC cells via ROS-mediated activation of p38/C/EBP-homologous protein pathways which subsequently induced the expression of death receptors DR4 and DR5. The compound also reduced the expression of decoy receptor 1 and decoy receptor 2 and suppressed the anti-apoptotic proteins Bcl-2, Bcl-xL, XIAP, c-FLIPS/L and survivin, as well as, increased Bax and Bid cleavage in these cells.¹⁹⁰

Pterostilbene inhibited metastasis of TNBC cells through induction of miR-205 and negative modulation of EMT markers including vimentin, ZEB1, slug and snail and upregulation of E-cadherin. Downregulation of miR-205 caused decreased expression of Src—a nonreceptor tyrosine kinase whose activation and overexpression leads to different types of cancers, involving invasive breast cancer.^191–194

Interestingly, pterostilbene and 6-shogaol inhibited bCSCs via reduced expression of CD44⁺ surface antigen and stimulated phosphorylation of β-catenin through hedgehog/Akt/GSK3β signalling inhibition thus downregulating downstream cyclin D1 and c-Myc.¹⁹⁵ The occurrence of M2-polarized tumour associated macrophages (TAMs) enhanced metastatic abilities and CD44⁺/CD⁻ CSCs in breast cancer cells. M2 TAMs-associated properties were suppressed by pterostilbene via inhibition of NF-κB, E-cadherin, vimentin and Twist1.¹⁹⁶

3.12. Sulforaphane

Sulforaphane (SFN)—an antioxidative and anti-inflammatory compound found in cruciferous vegetables—modulates various cellular targets that are involved in cancer development.^197–203 SFN stimulated the anti-cancer activity of taxane (docetaxel or paclitaxil) in TNBC cells by preventing CSCs via reduced translocation of NF-κB p65 and decreased p52 expression. The compound also restored taxane-induced ALDH+ cell enrichment and markedly suppressed mammospheres.²⁰⁴ Additionally, co-treatment of SFN and paclitaxel enhanced paclitaxel-induced apoptosis in breast cancer cells through upregulation of cytochrome c, caspase-3, -8 and -9 and downregulation of NF-κB, Bcl-2 and p-Akt serine/threonine kinase.²⁰⁵ SFN prevented TNF-α mediated migration and invasion in breast cancer cells and suppressed MMP-2, -9 and -13 at both transcriptional and translational levels.²⁰⁶ Lee et al. (2012) reported before that SFN suppress MMP-9 expression and invasion in MCF-7 cells via inhibition of NF-κB.²⁰⁷

Atwell et al. (2015) reviewed that most of the chemopreventive actions of SFN in breast and prostate cancers are due to modification of epigenetic mechanisms.²⁰⁸ Co-treatment of sulforaphane and withaferin A synergistically induced apoptosis and reduced cell viability and epigenetic processes in breast cancer cell lines through upregulation of Bax and downregulation of histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) and Bcl-2.²⁰⁹ On the other hand, SFN-induced senescence and cell cycle arrest in breast cancer cells are arbitrated by epigenetic alterations including decreased DNMT1 and DNMT3B expressions, global DNA hypo-methylation and variations in microRNA profile. The compound reduced methylation of N₆-methyladenosine RNA (epigenetic regulation at RNA level) and exerted cytostatic action via induction of nitro-oxidative stress and downregulation of Akt signalling.²¹⁰

3.13. Ginsenosides

Ginsenosides—major pharmacologically active saponins in ginseng root—are well-known for their promising restorative and healing abilities. Ginsenosides include Rg3, Rb1, Rb2, Rh2, Rh3 (protopanaxadiols) and Rh1, Rg1, Rg2 (protopanaxatriols).^211–213

Ginsenoside Rh2 provoked epigenetic methylation alteration in genes that are involved in immunity and tumorigenesis, thus increased immunogenicity and inhibited the growth of MCF-7 cells. Hyper-methylated genes like INSL5, OR52A1 and CASP1 experienced downregulation, while hypo-methylated genes including C1orf198, ST3GAL4 and CLINT1 displayed upregulation. Moreover, LINE1 (a global methylation marker) also displayed hypomethylation at specific CpGs.⁵² Rh2 also reversed resistance to docetaxel or adriamycin in resistant MCF-7 cells by differential microRNA expressions including miR-34a, miR-222 and miR-29a.²¹⁴

Ginsenoside Rg3 enhanced cytotoxic effect of paclitaxel in TNBC cells via inhibition of NF-κB and Bcl-2 and upregulation of Bax and caspase-3.²¹⁵ Kim et al. (2014) also reported that inhibition of NF-κB via inactivation of Akt and ERK is responsible for Rg3-induced apoptosis in breast cancer cells.²¹⁶ Rg3 combined with recombinant human endostar suppressed the growth of breast cancer, inhibited cell invasion and angiogenesis and increased autophagy via decreased mRNA contents of MMP-2, MMP-9, VEGFA, VEGFB, VEGFC, p62, Beclin-1, P13K, mTOR, Akt and JNK.²¹⁷

Similarly, ginsenoside Rg5 suppressed the proliferation of breast carcinoma via enhanced activation of AMPK and subsequent reduction in S6 and p70S6K activation.²¹⁸ The compound induced apoptosis via regulation of Bax, cytochrome c and PARP and promoted cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 phase through downregulation of CDK4, cyclin E2 and cyclin D1 and upregulation of p21^WAF1/CIP1, p53 and p15^INK4B in breast cancer cell lines.²¹⁹

3.14. Secoisolariciresinol and derived enterolignans

Secoisolariciresinol (SECO) is the most widespread phytoestrogenic lignan (diphenolic compound), abundantly found in flaxseed. Following their ingestion, plant phytoestrogenic lignans are converted into enterolignans (aka mammalian lignans): enterodiol (END) and enterolactone (ENL) that can bind to ER and are therefore considered as selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM). During the last two decades, evidences suggest that lignan consumption and more precisely the serum lignan concentration are linked with a reduction of breast cancer incidence,²²⁰ but the last half decade was very informative concerning the possible underlying molecular mechanism.

Examination of the estrogenic activity of ENL using DNA microarray based gene expression profiling in MCF-7 cells revealed that both estradiol and ENL initiated the same estrogen signalling but their signals are then differentially and directionally modulated later in the pathway, resulting in the differences at cell function levels.²²¹ Particularly, ENL have been shown to activate the ERK1/2 and PI3K/Akt pathways.²²¹ ENL have significantly decreased both ERα and PR (progesterone receptor) expression and increased estradiol secretion in MCF-7 cells. Different dose–responses were observed between ENL and END, with END acting at highest concentration level.²²² In the same way ENL and END produced opposite action on telomerase activity since ENL, but not END, have been shown to decrease telomerase activity in MCF-7 cells.²²³

Antiproliferative action of lignans was also observed in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells and has been attributed to the gene expression downregulation of Ki-67, PCNA and FoxM1.²²⁴ It also exerts a control on cell cycle by lowering gene expression of cyclin E1, A2, B1 and B2 and interfering with the cytoskeleton by downregulating phosphorylation of FAK/paxillin pathway, thus suppressing cell migration and invasion.²²⁴ ENL have been shown to suppress proliferation, migration and metastasis using MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells through the reduction of uPA-induced plasmin activation and the matrix metalloproteases MMP-2 and MMP-9 mediated by ECM remodelling.²²⁵

A reduced tumor progression and burden was observed in a model deriving from ACI rats either with flaxseed or with SECO supplemented groups in both xerograph and carcinogen animal models of human breast cancer.²²⁶ Hypothesized mechanisms include reduction in estrogen related signalling, anti-angiogenic and antioxidant activity at higher doses. Decrease in serum levels of follicular phase SHBG and IGFBP-3 were noted in supplemented animals, whereas, ESR2 (ERβ) gene expression increased.²²⁶ Authors suggested that ESR2 can oppose or reverse the proliferation signalling in mammary epithelial tissue. SECO may activate this pathway, suggesting that increased ERβ signalling could be one mechanism behind the decrease of mammary proliferation and dysplasia observed with SECO administration. Together a decrease in the cell proliferation marker Ki-67 gene expression was also observed for flax and SECO supplemented animals. SECO also did not promote ovarian dysplasia in these models.²²⁶

High lignan exposure have been associated with reduced mortality in breast cancer patients. For examples recent studies have found high ENL blood concentrations or high dietary lignans intake to be associated with a better prognosis among post-menopausal women.^227,228 In a population of 2182 breast cancer patients, ENL was found to be associated with reduced all-cause mortality and breast cancer-specific mortality. This association was restricted to early stage breast cancer and to patients with normal BMI.²²⁷ However, no association between ENL and HER2 status and Ki-67 gene expression were observed²²⁹ which is in good agreement with a smaller study (n = 24) that also reported no effect on Ki-67 gene expression together with no impact on both ERβ and CASPs expressions.²³⁰ On the contrary, a previously reported by Flower et al. (2005), a meta-analysis of 10 clinical studies evidenced both the antiproliferative and antiangiogenic activities for flax lignans.²³¹ Interestingly, these effects appeared to be correlated with BMI, with significant actions restricted to normal BMI (<25), but without any significant correlation with the menopausal or the ER+/ER− status of the patients. These observational data suggested associations between flax intake and decreased risk of primary breast cancer, lower mortality among breast cancer patients and better mental health.²³¹ A large pre-diagnostic plasma ENL levels and breast cancer prognosis among Danish post-menopausal women study evidence interesting results in crude models higher ENL levels were associated with lower risk of breast cancer-specific mortality but after adjustment for lifestyle factors this association was only borderline significant (P = 0.0501). However for women who never smoked or used hormones a more significant lower risk of mortality was noted and certainly deserve further investigations.²²⁹

Flaxseed lignan SECO and ENL were also reported to enhance the cytotoxic effect of classic chemotherapeutic agents (docetaxel, doxorubicin and carboplatin) in the metastatic breast cancer cell lines SKBR3 and MDA-MB-231, suggesting possible future direction in improving chemotherapeutic efficacy in breast cancer by adjuvant therapy with flaxseed lignans.²²⁰ Combination of dietary supplement along with the reduction in dosage of conventional breast cancer chemotherapeutic agent (doxorubicin) may retain its benefits while minimizing the cytotoxic side effects and thus may enhance its therapeutic efficiency.²³² Interaction of SECO with gluthathione-S-transferase PI-1 (GSTP1) gene has also been observed. Inhibition of GSTP1 expression at both gene and protein level by SECO was confirmed in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. SECO was also shown to inhibit cell growth and increase cellular apoptosis by up-regulating pro-apoptotic Casp-3 and Bax expression and down-regulating anti-apoptotic Bcl-xl and Bcl-2 expression.²³²

3.15. Vinca alkaloids

Vinca alkaloids, such as vincristine and vinblastine, are anti-microtubule and antimitotic agents which are obtained from Catharanthus roseus.^399,400 Combination of vincristine and Thymus caramanicus extract significantly induced cell death in MCF-7 breast cancer cells by increasing protein expression of cleaved caspase 3 and decreasing cyclin D1.²³³ Similar synergistic effect of vincristine and Sutureja khuzestanica extract has also been observed for MCF-7 cells.²³⁴ On the other hand, vincristine combined with suspension culture has been used for the isolation of cancer stem cells from MDA-MB-231 cell lines.²³⁵ Recently, dasatinib plus vincristine liposomes were successfully employed for the treatment of triple negative breast cancer using MDA-MB-231 cells and its xenografts in nude mice. The liposomes induced apoptosis via activation of caspase-3, -8 and -9, increased ROS generation and Bax expression while decreasing Mcl-1. Furthermore, deletion of vasculogenic mimicry channels also occurred.²³⁶

Vinblastine is extensively used for the treatment of breast cancer and Kaposi's sarcoma.^238,401 Vinblastine not only inhibits the tumor growth but also malignant angiogenesis and can specifically bind to tubulin, thereby restricting its polymerization and subsequent microtubules association.²³⁷ Recently, it was shown that vinblastine induced apoptosis is MCF-7 cells by interfering with microtubules. The compound increased PARP cleavage, however, it was demonstrated that colchicine was more effective than vinblastine in inducing apoptosis in docetaxel resistant breast cancer (MCF-7_TXT) cells.²³⁸ Interestingly, it was observed that enhanced sensitization of MDA-MB-231 cells to vinblastine or actinomycin D can be achieved by disrupting the function of Golgi apparatus inside these cells, thus resulting in increased apoptosis and decreased cell migration and proliferation.²³⁹ Likewise, co-treatment of cells with vinblastine or actinomycin D and golgicide A or brefeldin A (disrupting agents of ADP-ribosylation factor 1 (ARF1)—a protein required for homeostasis of Golgi complex) caused the similar effects via reducing the levels of either phospho-AKT or phospho-ERK1/2.²³⁹ Furthermore, combined treatment of MDA-MB-231 cells with vinblastine and docetaxel decreased survivin expression and induced apoptosis. A synergistic effect was observed when deguelin (a survivin inhibitor) was used along with vinblastine and docetaxel, suggesting that survivin downregulation may be useful in increasing the therapeutic efficacy of these chemotherapeutics.²⁴⁰

3.16. Miscellaneous phytochemicals

Kaempferol. A flavonoid antioxidant occurring in various fruits and vegetables—suppressed the migration and invasion of TNBC cells via downregulation of RhoA and Rac1.⁴² Azevedo et al. (2015) reported that kaempferol exert cytotoxic and anti-proliferative actions in MCF-7 cells through inhibition of GLUT1-mediated ³H-deoxy-D-glucose uptake.²⁴¹ The compound induced apoptosis in MCF-7 cells by increasing PARP cleavage, decreased Bcl-2 and enhanced Bax expression.²⁴² Kaempferol reduced triclosan- or 17β-estradiol-induced cell growth in MCF-7 cells by downregulating protein expressions of capthepsin D, cyclin E and cyclin D1 and upregulating Bax and p21. Additionally, it reversed triclosan-induced phosphorylation of AKT, MEK1/2 and IRS-1.²⁴³ Likewise, kaempferol also attenuated triclosan-induced EMT markers via upregulation of E-cadherin (epithelial marker) and downregulation of snail, slug, N-cadherin (mesenchymal markers), along with reduced metastatic markers like MMP-2 and -9, and cathepsin B and -D in MCF-7 cells.²⁴⁴

α-Mangostin. A xanthone from mangosteen pericarp—prompted apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in various human malignancies.^245–250 It persuaded anti-tumor effect in T47D cells via decreased phosphorylation of HER2, Akt, P13K and upregulation of p-p38 and p-JNK1/2.²⁵¹ The compound has also been shown to induce caspase-3-dependent apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 cells.²⁵² α-Mangostin inhibited fatty-acid synthase (FAS) expression and its intracellular accumulation, increased PARP cleavage, interfered with Bcl-2 family proteins and subsequently induced apoptosis in breast cancer cells.²⁵³ Won et al. (2014) demonstrated that growth inhibitory effect of α-mangostin in ER+ breast cancer cells is due to downregulation of estrogen receptor-α.²⁵⁴ The compound encouraged mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis and arrested cell cycle at G1 phase in p53 mutant and HER2, PgR, ER-negative breast cancer cells via downregulation of cylins, PCNA, CDKs and cdc(s) and increased p21^CIP1 expression.²⁵⁵

Parthenolide. A sesquiterpene lactone from feverfew herb—carries anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties.^256–259 Parthenolide-mediated ROS generation in breast cancer cells led to the activation of both AMPK (autophagy-survival) and apoptotic pathways. Suppression of autophagy potentiated apoptosis by parthenolide.²⁶⁰ The compound enhanced production of ROS and superoxide anion via stimulation of EGFR in MDA-MB-231 cells.²⁶¹ Parthenolide and dimethylaminoparthinolide (DMAPT i.e. a soluble analogue of parthenolide) strongly induced ROS generation in MDA-MB-231 (TNBC) cells and caused cell death. The drugs activated NADPH oxidase which led to the production of superoxide anion. ROS generation resulted in activation of JNK and suppression of NF-κB, as well as, depletion of glutathione and thiol groups. Additionally, the drugs induced autophagy by increased expression of Beclin-1 and conversion of LC3-I to LC3-II. Finally, RIP-1 (signalling molecule in necrosis) expression was enhanced by the drugs.²⁶² Similarly, parthenolide and DMAPT exerted inhibitory effects on CSCs derived from TNBC cells via ROS generation, Nrf2 downregulation, mitochondrial dysfunction and CSCs necrosis.⁴⁵ Suberoyanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA) also sensitized TNBC (MDA-MB-231) cells to cytotoxicity of parthenolide via suppression of Akt/mTOR/Nrf2 pathway. Moreover, parthenolide inhibited the autophagic activity of SAHA and downregulation of NF-κB also ensued.²⁶³

3,3′-Diindolylmethane (DIM). A phytoestrogen and bioactive metabolite, derived from indole-3-carbinol—suppressed bisphenol A, triclosan (endocrine disrupting chemicals) and 17β-estradiol-mediated EMT, migration, invasion and proliferation of MCF-7 cells by regulating the expressions of metastasis- and EMT-related genes. Furthermore, the phytoestrogen also reduced the expression of CXCR4—a receptor of CXCL12 chemokine that is responsible for breast cancer metastasis through ER-dependent pathway.²⁶⁴ DIM sensitized MDR MCF-7 cells to γ-radiation via increased G2/M phase arrest and intracellular ROS generation, along with enhanced apoptosis.²⁶⁵ The compound inhibited Akt activation, proliferation and migration in MDA-MB-231 cells via suppression of c-Met activation by hepatocyte growth factor.²⁶⁶ DIM increased the efficacy of Herceptin in HER-2/neu-expressing breast cancer cells by decreasing cell viability, associated with inhibition of colonization and apoptosis induction through downregulation of NF-κB p65 and Akt. Mechanistic studies showed decreased FoxM1 expression and upregulation of miR-200.²⁶⁷

Luteolin. A citrus bioflavonoid found in various plants including parsley, thyme and peppermint—displayed antioxidant, anti-allergic, anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory activities.^268–272 Metabolism of luteolin by cytochrome P450 enzymes CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 increased its anti-proliferative action in breast cancer cells.²⁷³ Luteolin inhibited migration of TNBC cells to the lungs and induced apoptosis via inhibition of VEGF.²⁷⁴ Moreover, the compound also reversed EMT via downregulation of β-catenin, thereby prevented lung metastasis of TNBC cells in xenograft model of breast cancer.²⁷⁵ Co-treatment of luteolin and lapatinib markedly suppressed the growth of BT-474 cells by reducing p-AKT and p-ERK1/2.²⁷⁶ Similarly, luteolin and celecoxib synergistically inhibited the growth of SkBr3 and MDA-MB-231 cells via inactivation of AKT and activation of ERK signalling, while in MCF-7 cells, inactivation of both ERK and Akt achieved the same result.²⁷⁷ Sensitization of drug-resistant MCF-7 cells to tamoxifen by luteolin via downregulation of cyclin E2 was also reported.²⁷⁸ However, low concentration of luteolin was shown to attenuate doxorubicin-induced cytotoxicity in MCF-7 cells through increased Bcl-2 expression.²⁷⁹

4 Critical bottlenecks in clinical translation

Although previous observations have directed various fruitful pre-clinical studies, still inadequate amount of clinical trials have been made to completely depict the distinct impact that each phytochemical may exert on cancer prevention. Several of these failures have been linked to the distribution of compounds, variable bioavailability and optimum mixtures of phytochemicals.³⁴⁰ Bioavailability is the rate and degree to which an active moiety/ingredient is absorbed from a drug and becomes presented at the action site.³⁴¹ When describing bioavailability, the mode of application of active ingredient also needs to be taken into consideration. In case of oral administration, both the digestive and metabolic processing must be taken into account while in case of intravenous application only the capacity to metabolize the nutrient by host organism must be considered.^342–344 A major hurdle in phytochemical research is the absence of consensus about the required optimum dose of several of these agents to be employed in trials. Phytochemicals exhibit their optimal cancer preventive property at relevant doses.³⁴⁰

Several obstacles limit the clinical efficacy of curcumin such as poor bioavailabilty, quick metabolism and slow aqueous solubility.^345,346 To improve the potential clinical efficacy of curcumin in high-risk populations, present research is mainly focusing on enhancing bioavailability to overcome both rapid compound metabolism and variability of absorption. Several efforts combining glucuronidation inhibitors (piperine, for instance) with curcumin to restrict intestinal and hepatic metabolism have revealed promising results.³⁴⁷ Other recent attempts have focused on using nanoparticles, curcumin analogs or delivery via phospholipid or liposomal complexing.^348,349 A phase-I dose-escalation trial revealed that participants getting single dose of liposomal curcumin had a dose-dependent enhancement in plasma level of curcumin, as well as, its active metabolite (tetrahydrocurcumin) without any clinical side effects. However, at higher doses of curcumin (120 mg m⁻²), changes in morphology of RBC were seen, signifying a dose restricting sign of toxicity.³⁵⁰

Despite the promising anti-proliferative effects of resveratrol in vitro and in animal models, its translation to clinics also face several challenges. One obstacle is limited bioavailability as resveratrol is metabolically excluded from the body very fast, thereby creating difficulty in maintaining a therapeutically effective level in bloodstream.³⁵¹ Recently, several efforts have been made in combining other natural substances with resveratrol to enhance its overall therapeutic value, especially cancer prevention.³⁵¹ Pharmacokinetic studies of resveratrol showed extensive and rapid metabolism to resveratrol-3-O-sulfate, resveratrol-3′-O-glucuronide and resveratrol-4′-O-glucuronide following oral administration at different doses, which doesn't allow for sufficient anticancer property of resveratrol.^352,353 Thus, efforts are underway to somehow sustain its metabolism in order to achieve better tissue exposure in the body. As resveratrol is rapidly metabolized into its metabolites, therefore, it is unclear whether metabolites may have different biological activity than free resveratrol or not. Resveratrol-3-O-sulfate has also been found to be a chemopreventive agent.³⁵⁴ Another effort is to find the optimal route and dose of resveratrol.³⁵⁵

The main constituent of green tea i.e. EGCG, though extensively supported by results from cell culture, epidemiological, clinical and animal studies, however, there are several hurdles like bioavailability, stability and metabolic transformations under physiological circumstances.³⁵⁶ Several studies have displayed conflicting results concerning the cancer risk decreasing properties of green tea in different populations. This incompatibility in results may be because of variable tea preparations, variable bioavailability of compounds across populations and unknown concentration of antioxidants.³⁴⁰

Quercetin is also considered as a potent chemopreventive agent in various cancers, including breast cancer but its application in clinics is limited due to poor bioavailability, instability, low solubility and poor permeability.³⁵⁷ Several approaches have been developed to improve its bioavailability such as using nanoparticles, micelles, liposomes or inclusion complexes. Enhanced bioavailability will enable to bring this agent in forefront in disease therapeutics in the near future.³⁵⁷ Table 3 further depicts the bottlenecks involved in the clinical translation of various phytochemicals involved in breast cancer remedy.

Table 3 Bottlenecks in the clinical translation of phytochemicals

Phytochemical	Bottlenecks in clinical translation	Ref.
Curcumin	Poor bioavailability, quick metabolism, slow aqueous solubility	345 and 346
Resveratrol	Poor bioavailability, quick metabolism, lack of proper dose	351
EGCG	Poor bioavailability, low stability, metabolic transformation under physiological circumstances	356
Quercetin	Poor bioavailability, instability, low permeability, low solubility	357
Apigenin	Poor bioavailability, poor aqueous solubility, low lipid solubility	358 and 359
Kaempferol	Low bioavailability, poor solubility	360
Genistein	Poor water solubility, low serum level after oral delivery (bioavailability), bitter taste	361 and 362
Silibinin	Poor bioavailability, poor water and lipid solubility	363 and 364
Parthenolide	Poor bioavailability & solubility in blood plasma, off-target effects, increased hydrophobicity	258
Sulforaphane	Instability, poor gastrointestinal absorption, hydrophobicity, poor bioavailability	365 and 366
3,3′-Diindolylmethane	Poor absoption, poor biodistribution	367
Thymoquinone	Poor aqueous solubility, poor bioavailability, high lipophilicity	368 and 369
Naringenin	Poor bioavailability, instability, low aqueous solubility, low permeability, extensive first pass metabolism	370 and 371
Isoliquiritigenin	Poor bioavailability, poor solubility, low targeting ability, high effective dose	187, 372 and 373
Ginsenosides	Poor oral absorption, poor bioavailability	374
Secoisolariciresinol	Poor bioavailability	375
Luteolin	Poor water solubility, poor bioavailability	376

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5 Conclusions and future perspective

Breast cancer is challenging and account for maximum deaths across females in both developed and developing countries. As revealed by different epidemiological studies, there exists an inverse correlation between the use of phytochemicals and breast cancer incidence. Phytochemicals such as curcumin, resveratrol, silibinin, EGCG, thymoquinone, genistein, luteolin, α-mangostin, luteolin, kaempferol, quercetin, parthenolide, apigenin, pterostilbene, isoliquiritigenin, DIM, ginsenosides and isothiocyanates possess great potential towards breast cancer chemoprevention. These phytochemicals display anti-breast cancer activities through various mechanisms such as inhibition of proliferation, angiogenesis, migration, invasion, metastasis, as well as, induction of cell cycle arrest and apoptosis via modulation of several genes, gene products and signalling pathways. Furthermore, they have the potential to target breast cancer stem cells and overcome drugs resistance, along with sensitization to radiation and radio-protection. In recent years, much attention has been paid to natural remedies which have the capability to reduce adverse effects associated with currently available marketed drugs. Several synergistic approaches of phytochemicals with conventional chemotherapeutic drugs such as paclitaxel, doxorubicin, tamoxifen and adriamycin etc. have been addressed in various breast cancer cell lines for enhanced chemoprevention and sensitization.

High costs and adverse reactions associated with the use of conventional drugs and irradiations reduced their therapeutic efficacy. In this regard, phytochemicals provide a safer and cost-effective approach. Most phytochemicals are readily available in vegetables, grains and fruits and their steady consumption would be effective to prevent breast cancer. It has been estimated that proper lifestyle adjustment could reduce cancer incidence by as much as two-thirds. Therefore, awareness should be raised among the general public about the proper and stable consumption of phytochemicals. Although, our understanding about multistage carcinogenesis has advanced, still the mechanism of action of most phytochemicals lacks adequate knowledge. The anticancer effects that most phytochemicals employ are probably the sum of several distinct mechanisms. Furthermore, deregulation or disruption of the intracellular signalling cascades sometime subject the cells to malignant transformation, so it is vital to recognize molecules in the signalling cascades that can be affected by specific phytochemicals in order to assess properly their underlying molecular mechanisms. Several phytochemicals have displayed non-toxic anti-tumor effects in xenograft model of nude mice, hence suggesting that they are effective in vivo.

A detailed insight about bioavailability and proper concentration of the required compounds are necessary, since most of them exerted dose-dependent inhibitory effects in breast cancer cells. Additionally, low concentration of some phytochemicals has shown to induce proliferation and activation of pro-survival autophagy in breast cancer, which further facilitate tumorigenesis. Likewise, large doses of phytochemicals resulted in development of additional diseases. For example, it has been shown that high doses of phytochemicals lead to chromosomal translocation, gastrointestinal disturbances and sexual dysfunction.^377–379 Moreover, after absorption, phytochemicals are transformed to other conjugated forms, which may reduce their bioavailability. Thus, some alternations are required to enhance bioavailability of these phytochemicals, such as use of delivery systems like encapsulation, emulsion and other nanomedicine strategies. Pharmaceutical companies do not take interest in manufacturing phytochemical-based drugs due to intellectual property rights, which further creates hurdles. Some phytochemicals are produced by wild plants in relatively smaller proportions which make them difficult to be collected in large quantities, in which cases elicitation strategies and other plant tissue culture techniques provide a valuable insights for efficient accumulation of cancer related marker compounds, as well as, conservation of the respective plant species.

Strategies to decrease the side effects of chemotherapy are necessary, in which case, nanotechnology provides a useful opportunity in breast cancer therapy. The toxicity of conventional chemotherapeutic agents can be greatly reduced by administering them in nanoparticles and their combination with phytochemicals. Furthermore, new approach is required to enhance the intracellular stability, constant release and bioavailability of phytochemicals.³⁸⁰ Recently, it was reported that combination nanoparticles of paclitaxel and EGCG inhibited NF-κB activation, increased apoptosis, downregulated the genes involved in angiogenesis, cell survival and metastasis in MDA-MB-231 cell lines. Targeting the nanoparticles with anti-EGFR antibodies greatly enhanced these effects. Moreover, the EGCG-containing nanoparticles also overcame multidrug resistance in MDA-MB-231 cells via downregulation of P-glycoprotein.³⁸⁰ In another study, the intracellular concentration, stability and sustained release of EGCG was enhanced when loaded into chitosan-coated liposomes. The combined treatment significantly increased apoptosis and decreased cell viability.³⁸¹ Similarly, quercetin encapsulation in MPEG-PLA (methoxypolyethylene glycol-polylactic acid) is useful in defeating its hydrophobicity. Quercetin nanoparticles induced apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 cells with sustained release for a duration of 10 days.³⁸² In another report, quercetin-loaded mesoporous silica nanoparticles with folic acid tag ensured increased bioavailability and targeted delivery in breast cancer cells. The nanostructure caused apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in breast cancer cells via regulation of Bax and Akt signalling.³⁸³ Curcumin exerts numerous anticancer effects, however, it is faced with several limitations such as low bioavailability, quick metabolism, quick degradation and low aqueous solubility. Nanotechnology is revealing promising results in improving the bioavailability of hydrophobic agents such as curcumin. It was observed that curcumin-loaded PLGA-PEG greatly improved the cytotoxic effects in MCF-7 cell lines as compared to pure curcumin.³⁸⁴ Recently, curcumin-loaded folate-modified chitosan nanoparticles having targeted ability were developed which displayed good potential for breast cancer therapy. It was observed that reducing the pH of the release medium increased the release rate of curcumin from nanoparticles, showing pH responsive capacity of modified nanoparticles.³⁸⁵ Curcumin-loaded and calcium-doped dendritic mesoporous silica nanoparticles adapted with folic acid was also designed for effective treatment of breast cancer. This nanoformulation showed remarkable dispersal in aqueous solution, displayed pH responsive curcumin release and efficiently targeted the MCF-7 cells. The combination resulted in enhanced apoptosis, inhibition of proliferation, cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase, increased ROS generation and reduced mitochondrial membrane potential, in contrast to free curcumin.³⁸⁶ Resveratrol is also a promising candidate in breast cancer therapy, however, poor bioavailability and stability limit its clinical applications. Resveratrol-capped gold nanoparticles were synthesized previously, which repressed the TPA-induced invasion and migration abilities of breast cancer cells. The treatment greatly inhibited COX-2, ERK, MMP-9, NF-kB, P13K/Akt and AP-1.³⁸⁷ Resveratrol co-encapsulation with paclitaxel in a PEGylated liposome was successfully applied to drug resistant MCF-7/Adr cells which generated potent cytotoxicity. Moreover, the composite liposome also increased the bioavailability of the drug.³⁸⁸ In a recent study, resveratrol-load solid lipid nanoparticles were targeted on MDA-MB-231 cells which promoted Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and reduced the expression of c-Myc and cyclin D1, thereby greatly inhibiting proliferation, migration and invasion, as compared to free resveratrol.³⁸⁹ Thymoquinone-encapsulated nanoparticles were made by using hydrophilic and biodegradable polymers like PEG and PVP to overcome its poor aqueous solubility, minimal systemic bioavailability and light and thermal sensitivity. The resultant nanoparticles was more effective in killing cancer cells and less toxic to normal cells. Moreover, it displayed more potent anti-migratory activity on cancer cells.³⁹⁰ In another study, PLGA nanoparticles loaded with thymoquinone and paclitaxel were synthesized which showed improved anticancer activity in MCF-7 cells. This nanoformulation also aided in decreasing the toxic effects of paclitaxel by depressing its effective dosage.³⁹¹ Similarly, nanostructured lipid carrier loading thymoquinone also improved the cytotoxicity and bioavailability of thymoquinone in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells.³⁹² These results demonstrate that nanoformulations based on phytochemicals provide a useful strategy to enhance their cytotoxicity, bioavailability, stability and sustained release, as well as, to overcome drugs resistance and other harmful side effects associated with conventional chemotherapeutic agents.

Conflicts of interest

All the authors declare no conflicts of interest, financial or otherwise, associated with this publication.

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