Potential utility of natural products as regulators of breast cancer-associated aromatase promoters
2011

Natural Products and Breast Cancer: Aromatase Inhibition

publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Shabana I. Khan, Jianping Zhao, Ikhlas A. Khan, Larry A. Walker, Asok K. Dasmahapatra

Primary Institution: University of Mississippi

Hypothesis

Natural products can serve as effective regulators of breast cancer-associated aromatase promoters.

Conclusion

Natural products have the potential to inhibit aromatase activity and may serve as safer alternatives to synthetic aromatase inhibitors in breast cancer treatment.

Supporting Evidence

  • Natural products are rich in chemopreventive agents that can be used in chemotherapy for hormone-dependent breast cancer.
  • Asian women have a lower breast cancer risk, possibly due to dietary factors including phytoestrogens.
  • Biochanin A and genistein have shown potential in inhibiting aromatase activity in breast cancer cells.

Takeaway

Some plants can help stop breast cancer by blocking a process that makes estrogen, which can help cancer grow.

Methodology

The review summarizes studies on various phytochemicals and their effects on aromatase promoters.

Limitations

The exact mechanisms of how these natural products inhibit aromatase are not fully understood.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1477-7827-9-91

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