Phenolic compounds as Nrf2 inhibitors: potential applications in cancer therapy.

Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide and involves an oxidative stress mechanism. The transcription factor Nrf2 has a crucial role in cytoprotective response against oxidative stress, including cancer growth and progression and therapy resistance. For this reason, inhibitors of Nrf2 are new targets to be studied. Traditional plant-based remedies rich in phytochemicals have been used against human cancers and phenolic compounds are known for their chemopreventive properties. This comprehensive review offers an updated review of the role of phenolic compounds as anticancer agents due to their action on Nrf2 inhibition. In addition, the role of naturally-occurring bioactive anticancer agents are covered in the clinical applications of polyphenols as Nrf2 inhibitors. Video Abstract.

The Systematic Assessment of the Membrane-Stabilizing and Antioxidant Activities of Several Kazakhstani Plants in the Asteraceae Family.

The objective of our research was to examine the antioxidant and membrane-protective characteristics of a few medicinal plant extracts belonging to the Asteracea family, along with their flavonoid and polyphenolic content, in order to identify strategies for enhancing beverage composition and boosting the antioxidant capacity of green and black tea. The activity of aqueous-ethanolic extracts from the dried parts of plants, such as Arictum tomentosum Mill., Ghnapilum kasachstanicum Kirp. & Kuprian. ex Kirp., Artemisia schrenkiana Ledeb., A. rutifolia Steph. ex Spreng., A. cina O.Berg, and A. vulgaris L., were examined using a model of Wistar rats. Thiobarbituric acid-reacting substances (TBARS), a marker of malondialdehyde concentration, were used to measure the amount of lipid peroxidation (LPO) in liver microsomes. Considering the outcomes, the extracts from A. tomentosum, G. kasachstanicum, and A. vulgaris exhibit the strongest membrane-stabilizing action among those examined. At a concentration of 5 g/mL, the extracts of these plants demonstrated a significant anti-hemolitic impact, whereas the remaining extracts displayed a similar effect at doses above 10 g/mL. Accordingly, among the extracts studied, the A. tomentosum, G. kasachstanicum, A. schrenkiana, A. rutifolia, A. cina, and A. vulgaris extracts have significant antioxidant properties. The integrated antioxidant and antihemolytic qualities of A. tomentosum and green tea extracts were comparable to those of the individual plant extracts. When the extracts of A. schrenkiana and green tea were combined, similar outcomes were seen, suggesting that there was no appreciable synergistic interaction.