Phytonutrients in the Treatment of Gastrointestinal Cancer


Book Description

Gastrointestinal cancer is one of the most prevalent causes of cancer-related deaths in the world. Recent research demonstrates that phytochemicals are critical in preventing and managing gastrointestinal cancer. The increased intake of phytochemicals could reduce the risk of cancer by inhibiting cancer cell proliferation, inducing apoptosis and autophagy, and suppressing angiogenesis as well as cancer cell metastasis. These mechanisms are also known to counter Helicobacter pylori infection and modulate gut microbiota. There is preliminary data suggesting that daily supplementation with high doses of certain vitamins combined with conventional therapeutic agents may enhance their growth inhibitory effects on tumor cells and protect normal tissues against some of their toxic effects. This book attempts to fill gaps on the role of phytonutrients in the treatment of cancer in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). It discusses the action of individual vitamins on cellular and molecular parameters and describes how vitamins inhibit protein kinase C activity, increase the production of certain growth factors, and modulate the expression of a number of oncogenes. The book is divided into 2 parts. The first part summarizes the pathophysiology of GIT cancers and introduces readers to anticancer phytonutrients. A chapter on the status of FDA approved nutraceuticals rounds up this section. The second part of the book provides a systematic review on the different plant derived chemicals that can be used to treat GIT cancer. Each chapter in this section focuses on a specific type of phytochemical agent and its molecular mechanisms relevant to the disease. This book will give the reader a holistic view of gastrointestinal cancer treatment and the value of natural compounds in developing functional food and drugs for preventive medicine.




Herbal Medicine


Book Description

The global popularity of herbal supplements and the promise they hold in treating various disease states has caused an unprecedented interest in understanding the molecular basis of the biological activity of traditional remedies. Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects focuses on presenting current scientific evidence of biomolecular ef




Dietary Phytochemicals in Cancer Prevention and Treatment


Book Description

The sixth annual research conference of the American Institute for Cancer Research was held August 31 and September 1, 1995, at the Loews L'Enfant Plaza Hotel in Washing ton, DC. In view of the promising leads in the diet/nutrition and cancer research field, the conference was devoted to "Dietary Phytochemicals in Cancer Prevention and Treatment. " The number of sessions was increased over that in previous conferences in order to accommodate the topics of interest. The conference overview, entitled "Plants and Cancer: Food, Fiber, and Phytochemicals," provided a framework for the following sessions. In addition, the attendees were reminded that for several decades epidemiologists have noted a lower risk of lung, esophageal, stomach, and colon cancer in populations consuming diets high in fruits and vegetables. However, isolation and ingestion of individual protective factors are not the preferred action since the complexity of the food and the matrix in which nutritional factors are embedded are important. The individual sessions then provided more insight as to why eating fruits and vegetables is associated with a lower risk of cancer. The first of these sessions was on "Isothiocyanates" that induce both the Phase I and Phase II enzymes that increase detoxification and conjugation reactions, thus causing more rapid removal of any xenobiotic or carcinogen. Thus, less carcinogen is available for interaction with DNA or other critical cellular macromolecules.




Phytochemicals


Book Description

Phytochemicals provides original research work and reviews on the sources of phytochemicals, and their roles in disease prevention, supplementation, and accumulation in fruits and vegetables. The roles of anthocyanin, flavonoids, carotenoids, and taxol are presented in separate chapters. Antioxidative and free radicle scavenging activity of phytochemicals is also discussed. The medicinal properties of Opuntia, soybean, sea buckthorn, and gooseberry are presented in a number of chapters. Supplementation of plant extract with phytochemical properties in broiler meals is discussed in one chapter. The final two chapters include the impact of agricultural practices and novel processing technologies on the accumulation of phytochemicals in fruits and vegetables. This book mainly focuses on medicinal plants and the disease-preventing properties of phytochemicals, which will be a useful resource to the reader.




Phytochemicals of Nutraceutical Importance


Book Description

Nutraceuticals are bioactive phytochemicals that protect or promote health and occur at the intersection of food and pharmaceutical industries. This book will cover a wider spectrum of human health and diseases including the role of phytonutrients in the prevention and treatment. The Book includes chapters dealing with biological and clinical effect, molecular level approach, quality assurance, bioavailability and metabolism of a number phytochemicals and their role to combat different diseases.




Retinoids in Oncology


Book Description

This reference provides a comprehensive overview of recent developments in basic research that are relevant to the application of retinoids for cancer prevention and treatment.;Organized in a quick-referral format by specific disease site, this book: describes the effects of retinoids on squamous differentiation in normal, pre-malignant, and malignant epithelial tissues; addresses the mechanisms by which cultured keratinocytes respond to retinoids; considers the antitumor activity of combination therapy with retinoids and cytokines; reviews the toxicity profiles of the vitamin A molecule and the synthetically derived retinoid compounds and their effects on humans; examines the use of retinoids in the prevention of basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and in the therapy of advanced SCC; and summarizes data on the potential of retinoids to prevent epithelial cancer, to act as adjuvants to current therapies in early stages of the disease and to aid in the management of both solid tumours and hematologic malignancies.;A guide for the many disciplines involved in the preclinical studies and direct care of cancer patients, this book serves as useful reading for clinical, surgical and radiation oncologists; clinical immunologists; dermatologists; obstetricians/gynaecologists; haematologists; otolaryngologists; internists; nutritionists; and pulmonary-disease specialists.




Functional Foods in Cancer Prevention and Therapy


Book Description

Functional Foods in Cancer Prevention and Therapy presents the wide range of functional foods associated with the prevention and treatment of cancer. In recent decades, researchers have made progress in our understanding of the association between functional food and cancer, especially as it relates to cancer treatment and prevention. Specifically, substantial evidence from epidemiological, clinical and laboratory studies show that various food components may alter cancer risk, the prognosis after cancer onset, and the quality of life after cancer treatment. The book documents the therapeutic roles of well-known functional foods and explains their role in cancer therapy. The book presents complex cancer patterns and evidence of the effective ways to control cancers with the use of functional foods. This book will serve as informative reference for researchers focused on the role of food in cancer prevention and physicians and clinicians involved in cancer treatment. Discusses the role of functional foods in cancer therapy Presents research-based evidence of the role of herbs and bioactive foods in cancer treatment and prevention Provides the most current, concise, scientific information regarding the efficacy of functional foods in preventing cancer and improving the quality of life Explores antioxidants, phytochemicals, nutraceuticals, herbal medicine and supplements in relation to cancer prevention and treatment Contains a clinical approach to the use of functional foods to prevent and treat cancer Emphasizes the role and mechanism of functional foods, including the characterization of active compounds on cancer prevention and treatment




Diet and Health


Book Description

Diet and Health examines the many complex issues concerning diet and its role in increasing or decreasing the risk of chronic disease. It proposes dietary recommendations for reducing the risk of the major diseases and causes of death today: atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (including heart attack and stroke), cancer, high blood pressure, obesity, osteoporosis, diabetes mellitus, liver disease, and dental caries.




Indian Medicinal Plants


Book Description

In an easy to use dictionary style of A–Z presentation, this volume lists the taxonomy and medicinal usage of Indian plants. Also given are both traditional Indian and international synonyms along with details of the habitats of the plants. This book, illustrated by over 200 full-color figures, is aimed at bringing out an updated Acute Study Dictionary of plant sources of Indian medicine. The text is based on authentic treatises which are the outcome of scientific screening and critical evaluation by eminent scholars. The Dictionary is presented in a user-friendly format, as a compact, handy, easy to use and one-volume reference work.




Fascinating Facts About Phytonutrients in Spices and Healthy Food


Book Description

For centuries, there have been claims that healthy food garnished with exotic spices and condiments provides vital nutrients that help ward off diseases, especially preventable diseases such as diabetes and heart disease (hypertension, coronary artery disease) and promote longevity. The purpose of writing this book is to update the public about the health benefits of ingredients (phytochemicals) in spices and healthy food using existing scientific evidence. The ultimate proof of health benefits will be deciphered by the isolation and identification of specific phytochemicals acting on specific receptors in the body exerting their biological effects. The important point being emphasized is that if the physiological effect of an ingredient is glaring, it is considered to elicit a significant response. However, when the effect of an ingredient is significant, yet the effect is not readily perceivable then the usefulness goes unnoticed and can be questioned as a myth. For example, coffee has several ingredients, but only caffeine acting on the adenosine receptors stimulates the central nervous system and promotes wakefulness. Similarly, the specific active ingredient in hot chili pepper, capsaicin, activates a member of a recently identified family of receptors called transient receptor potential (TRP) channels. TRP vanilloid 1 (TRPV1), which is involved in certain modalities of pain, promotes the release of hormones in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Although, the bioavailability of the active ingredients is low, it is important to realize that these ingredients can cause significant local effects in the GI tract by preventing cholesterol regeneration by subduing microbiota, inhibiting precancerous growth by promoting calcium influx and stimulating nerve endings to transmit information and to release of gut hormones that are involved in regulating a variety of functions including appetite and satiety.