Anticancer Properties of Tocotrienols: A Review of Cellular Mechanisms and Molecular Targets

摘要: Vitamin E is composed of two groups compounds: α-, β-, γ-, and δ-tocopherols (TPs), the corresponding unsaturated tocotrienols (TTs). TTs are found in natural sources such as red palm oil, annatto seeds, rice bran. In last decades, (specifically, γ-TT δ-TT) have gained interest due to their health benefits chronic diseases, based on antioxidant, neuroprotective, cholesterol-lowering, anti-inflammatory activities. Several vitro vivo studies pointed out that also exert a significant antitumor activity wide range cancer cells. Specifically, were shown antiproliferative/proapoptotic effects reduce metastatic or angiogenic properties different cells; moreover, these compounds reported specifically target subpopulation stem cells, known be deeply involved development resistance standard therapies. Interestingly, recent synergistic effect cells when given combination with either agents (i.e., chemotherapeutics, statins, "targeted" therapies) anticancer sesamin, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), resveratrol, ferulic acid). Based observations, TT synthetic derivatives formulations recently developed demonstrated improve water solubility metabolism thus increasing biological activity. These promising results, together safety administration healthy subjects, suggest might represent new chemopreventive treatment strategy. Clinical trials aimed at confirming this needed.