Experimental Studies on the Therapeutic Potential of <i>Vaccinium</i> Berries in Breast Cancer—A Review

Breast cancer (BC) is the largest contributor to cancer deaths in women worldwide. Various parts of plants, including fruits, are known for their therapeutic properties and are used in traditional medicine. Fruit species exhibit anticancer activities due to the presence of bioactive natural compound...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Naser A. Alsharairi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-01-01
Series:Plants
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/13/2/153
Description
Summary:Breast cancer (BC) is the largest contributor to cancer deaths in women worldwide. Various parts of plants, including fruits, are known for their therapeutic properties and are used in traditional medicine. Fruit species exhibit anticancer activities due to the presence of bioactive natural compounds such as flavonoids and carotenoids. The <i>Vaccinium</i> spp. are fleshy berry-like drupes and are rich in bioactive compounds, with flavonols, flavanols, chalcones, and phenolic acids as the major groups of compounds. While there is clear evidence linking <i>Vaccinium</i> berries with a decreased risk of BC both in in vivo and in vitro experiments, the exact mechanisms involved in the protective effects of <i>Vaccinium</i> spp. rich extracts on BC cells are not fully understood. Thus, the purpose of this review is to highlight the mechanisms of action involved in the therapeutic potential of <i>Vaccinium</i> berries against BC in experimental models.
ISSN:2223-7747