Flavonoids, Breast Cancer Prevention, and Its Treatment: A Growing Evidence
Md. Rubel Akanda
*
Grain Quality and Nutrition Division, Bangladesh Rice Research Institute, Gazipur 1701, Bangladesh and Rice Analytical Laboratory (RAL), Bangladesh Rice Research Institute, Gazipur 1701, Bangladesh.
Sadia Jafrin
Department of Biotechnology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh 2202, Bangladesh.
Shah Ashadul Islam
Rice Analytical Laboratory (RAL), Bangladesh Rice Research Institute, Gazipur 1701, Bangladesh and Agronomy Division, Bangladesh Rice Research Institute, Gazipur 1701, Bangladesh.
Shakir Hosen
Rice Analytical Laboratory (RAL), Bangladesh Rice Research Institute, Gazipur 1701, Bangladesh.
Md. Mariful Islam
Rice Analytical Laboratory (RAL), Bangladesh Rice Research Institute, Gazipur 1701, Bangladesh.
Nazmul Islam
Department of Biotechnology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh 2202, Bangladesh.
Habibul Bari Shozib
Grain Quality and Nutrition Division, Bangladesh Rice Research Institute, Gazipur 1701, Bangladesh and Rice Analytical Laboratory (RAL), Bangladesh Rice Research Institute, Gazipur 1701, Bangladesh.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
There is mounting evidence linking certain lifestyle factors such as food, weight, and physical activity to an increased risk of breast cancer. Flavonoids are commonly used in traditional medicine. Plenty of studies have investigated the relationship between flavonoid consumption and breast cancer in humans. This review aimed to examine the association between flavonoids, each flavonoid subclass and the risk of breast cancer besides therapeutic use of flavonoids to break the multidrug resistance in breast cancer. Prospective cohort, case-control, and laboratory-based studies published between around 1990’s to date and referred to the impact of flavonoids on breast cancer prevention, treatment, or other roles were included. Odd Ratio (OR)/ Risk Ratio (RR) and Hazard ratio (HR) along 95% confidence interval (CI) were carefully reviewed to reveal the association between different subgroups of flavonoids and breast cancer risk. Other adjustments (e.g. age, menopausal status, food habits, race, BMI, etc.) were also considered. The antioxidant properties of flavonoids, as well as their ability to inhibit apoptosis, suppress estrogen activity, and limit the proliferation of breast cancer cells, all contribute to a significant reduction in the risk of developing breast cancer. There are linings enough that some polyphenolic compounds are effective as drugs for treating breast cancer.
Keywords: Polyphenolic compounds, mammary carcinogenesis, antioxidants, multi-drug resistance (MDR), phytoestrogen, CYP1A1 inhibitors, ATP-binding cassette