Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, Anti-Menopausal, and Anti-Cancer Effects of Lignans and Their Metabolites

• Published in: International journal of molecular sciences 2022-12, Vol.23 (24), p.15482
• Main Authors: Jang, Won Young, Kim, Mi-Yeon, Cho, Jae Youl
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anti-inflammatory agents; Anti-Inflammatory Agents - pharmacology; Anti-Inflammatory Agents - therapeutic use; Antioxidants; Antioxidants - pharmacology; Antioxidants - therapeutic use; Antitumor activity; Biological effects; Breast cancer; Cancer; Cardiovascular Diseases; Colorectal cancer; Colorectal carcinoma; Cytokines; Estrogen receptors; Estrogens; Gene expression; Humans; In vivo methods and tests; Inflammation; Inflammatory bowel disease; Inflammatory diseases; Inhibition (psychology); Intestinal microflora; Kinases; Lignans; Lignans - metabolism; Lignans - pharmacology; Lignans - therapeutic use; Matairesinol; Menopause; Mental disorders; Metabolites; Microbiota; Molecular modelling; Neoplasms; NF-kappa B; Osteoporosis; Pathogens; Phosphorylation; Phytoestrogens; Post-menopause; Prostate cancer; Proteins; Review; Seeds; Signal transduction; Signs and symptoms; Tumor cell lines; Tumor necrosis factor-TNF
• ISSN: 1422-0067; 1661-6596; 1422-0067
• DOI: 10.3390/ijms232415482

Since chronic inflammation can be seen in severe, long-lasting diseases such as cancer, there is a high demand for effective methods to modulate inflammatory responses. Among many therapeutic candidates, lignans, absorbed from various plant sources, represent a type of phytoestrogen classified into secoisolariciresionol (Seco), pinoresinol (Pino), matairesinol (Mat), medioresinol (Med), sesamin (Ses), syringaresinol (Syr), and lariciresinol (Lari). Lignans consumed by humans can be further modified into END or ENL by the activities of gut microbiota. Lignans are known to exert antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, together with activity in estrogen receptor-dependent pathways. Lignans may have therapeutic potential for postmenopausal symptoms, including cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and psychological disorders. Moreover, the antitumor efficacy of lignans has been demonstrated in various cancer cell lines, including hormone-dependent breast cancer and prostate cancer, as well as colorectal cancer. Interestingly, the molecular mechanisms of lignans in these diseases involve the inhibition of inflammatory signals, including the nuclear factor (NF)-κB pathway. Therefore, we summarize the recent in vitro and in vivo studies evaluating the biological effects of various lignans, focusing on their values as effective anti-inflammatory agents.