From laboratory to clinic: opportunities and challenges of functional food active ingredients in cancer therapy
This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the potential of functional food active ingredients in cancer prevention and therapy. It outlines the multifaceted anticancer mechanisms of bioactive compounds—such as polyphenols, carotenoids, omega-3 fatty acids, phytosterols, alkaloids, isothiocyan...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-07-01
|
| Series: | Frontiers in Nutrition |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1627949/full |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1850076362446995456 |
|---|---|
| author | Nie Zhang Nie Zhang Yanzhi Ren Yahui Xu Yahui Xu |
| author_facet | Nie Zhang Nie Zhang Yanzhi Ren Yahui Xu Yahui Xu |
| author_sort | Nie Zhang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the potential of functional food active ingredients in cancer prevention and therapy. It outlines the multifaceted anticancer mechanisms of bioactive compounds—such as polyphenols, carotenoids, omega-3 fatty acids, phytosterols, alkaloids, isothiocyanates, polysaccharides, phenolic acids, flavonols, and amide-bearing compounds—which include antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, induction of apoptosis and autophagy, modulation of the tumor microenvironment, interference with cell cycle regulation and signaling pathways, and regulation of cancer-related microRNA expression. The review further discusses the synergistic effects of these compounds when combined with conventional treatments like radiotherapy and chemotherapy, highlighting their role in enhancing efficacy and mitigating side effects. Despite promising preclinical data, challenges such as poor bioavailability, dose-dependent safety concerns, and the need for large-scale randomized clinical trials and regulatory standardization remain. Proposed future directions include advanced nanodelivery systems, eutectic technologies, and precision nutrition strategies, which together could accelerate the translation of these natural compounds from the laboratory to clinical application. Ultimately, the integration of functional food active ingredients into comprehensive cancer care may offer novel, safer, and more personalized approaches to oncologic treatment and prevention. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-1c69d37b694246778aefbad8f85e8a84 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2296-861X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Nutrition |
| spelling | doaj-art-1c69d37b694246778aefbad8f85e8a842025-08-20T02:46:02ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Nutrition2296-861X2025-07-011210.3389/fnut.2025.16279491627949From laboratory to clinic: opportunities and challenges of functional food active ingredients in cancer therapyNie Zhang0Nie Zhang1Yanzhi Ren2Yahui Xu3Yahui Xu4Department of Oncology, Graduate School of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, ChinaKey Laboratory of Gametes and Abnormal Reproductive Tract of National Health Commission, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, ChinaDepartment of Cardiology, Shizhong District People's Hospital, Zao Zhuang, ChinaDepartment of Oncology, Graduate School of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, ChinaDepartment of Anesthesiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, ChinaThis review provides a comprehensive analysis of the potential of functional food active ingredients in cancer prevention and therapy. It outlines the multifaceted anticancer mechanisms of bioactive compounds—such as polyphenols, carotenoids, omega-3 fatty acids, phytosterols, alkaloids, isothiocyanates, polysaccharides, phenolic acids, flavonols, and amide-bearing compounds—which include antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, induction of apoptosis and autophagy, modulation of the tumor microenvironment, interference with cell cycle regulation and signaling pathways, and regulation of cancer-related microRNA expression. The review further discusses the synergistic effects of these compounds when combined with conventional treatments like radiotherapy and chemotherapy, highlighting their role in enhancing efficacy and mitigating side effects. Despite promising preclinical data, challenges such as poor bioavailability, dose-dependent safety concerns, and the need for large-scale randomized clinical trials and regulatory standardization remain. Proposed future directions include advanced nanodelivery systems, eutectic technologies, and precision nutrition strategies, which together could accelerate the translation of these natural compounds from the laboratory to clinical application. Ultimately, the integration of functional food active ingredients into comprehensive cancer care may offer novel, safer, and more personalized approaches to oncologic treatment and prevention.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1627949/fullfunctional foodbioactive compoundscancer therapynanodelivery systemsprecision nutrition |
| spellingShingle | Nie Zhang Nie Zhang Yanzhi Ren Yahui Xu Yahui Xu From laboratory to clinic: opportunities and challenges of functional food active ingredients in cancer therapy Frontiers in Nutrition functional food bioactive compounds cancer therapy nanodelivery systems precision nutrition |
| title | From laboratory to clinic: opportunities and challenges of functional food active ingredients in cancer therapy |
| title_full | From laboratory to clinic: opportunities and challenges of functional food active ingredients in cancer therapy |
| title_fullStr | From laboratory to clinic: opportunities and challenges of functional food active ingredients in cancer therapy |
| title_full_unstemmed | From laboratory to clinic: opportunities and challenges of functional food active ingredients in cancer therapy |
| title_short | From laboratory to clinic: opportunities and challenges of functional food active ingredients in cancer therapy |
| title_sort | from laboratory to clinic opportunities and challenges of functional food active ingredients in cancer therapy |
| topic | functional food bioactive compounds cancer therapy nanodelivery systems precision nutrition |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1627949/full |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT niezhang fromlaboratorytoclinicopportunitiesandchallengesoffunctionalfoodactiveingredientsincancertherapy AT niezhang fromlaboratorytoclinicopportunitiesandchallengesoffunctionalfoodactiveingredientsincancertherapy AT yanzhiren fromlaboratorytoclinicopportunitiesandchallengesoffunctionalfoodactiveingredientsincancertherapy AT yahuixu fromlaboratorytoclinicopportunitiesandchallengesoffunctionalfoodactiveingredientsincancertherapy AT yahuixu fromlaboratorytoclinicopportunitiesandchallengesoffunctionalfoodactiveingredientsincancertherapy |