Exploring the Therapeutic Potential of <i>Theobroma cacao</i> L.: Insights from In Vitro, In Vivo, and Nanoparticle Studies on Anti-Inflammatory and Anticancer Effects
<i>Theobroma cacao</i> L., commonly known as cocoa, has been an integral part of human culture and diet for thousands of years. However, recent scientific research has highlighted its potential therapeutic properties, particularly in the treatment of cancer and inflammatory diseases. Thi...
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2024-11-01
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| Series: | Antioxidants |
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| author | Przemysław Sitarek Anna Merecz-Sadowska Joanna Sikora Weronika Osicka Igor Śpiewak Laurent Picot Tomasz Kowalczyk |
| author_facet | Przemysław Sitarek Anna Merecz-Sadowska Joanna Sikora Weronika Osicka Igor Śpiewak Laurent Picot Tomasz Kowalczyk |
| author_sort | Przemysław Sitarek |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <i>Theobroma cacao</i> L., commonly known as cocoa, has been an integral part of human culture and diet for thousands of years. However, recent scientific research has highlighted its potential therapeutic properties, particularly in the treatment of cancer and inflammatory diseases. This comprehensive review analyzes the anti-inflammatory and anticancer effects of <i>Theobroma cacao</i> extracts combined with nanoparticles using in vitro and in vivo studies. Its diverse biological activity can be attributed to its rich phytochemical profile, including polyphenols, flavonoids, and alkaloids. In vitro studies have found that cocoa extracts, alone or in combination with nanoparticles, inhibit cancer cell proliferation, induce apoptosis and modulate key signaling pathways in various cancer cell lines. The extracts have also been found to reduce tumor growth and enhance the efficacy of conventional chemotherapeutic agents, potentially reducing their side effects, in vivo. Its anti-inflammatory properties are based on its ability to modulate inflammatory mediators, inhibit NF-κB signaling, and regulate macrophage polarization. These effects have been observed in both cellular and animal models of inflammation. This review opens up new possibilities for future research and therapeutic applications, highlighting the potential of <i>Theobroma cacao</i> as a valuable complementary approach in the treatment and prevention of cancer and inflammatory diseases. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-1fc07e73732046fb8d2b19d95f8f82f6 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2076-3921 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-11-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Antioxidants |
| spelling | doaj-art-1fc07e73732046fb8d2b19d95f8f82f62024-11-26T17:47:12ZengMDPI AGAntioxidants2076-39212024-11-011311137610.3390/antiox13111376Exploring the Therapeutic Potential of <i>Theobroma cacao</i> L.: Insights from In Vitro, In Vivo, and Nanoparticle Studies on Anti-Inflammatory and Anticancer EffectsPrzemysław Sitarek0Anna Merecz-Sadowska1Joanna Sikora2Weronika Osicka3Igor Śpiewak4Laurent Picot5Tomasz Kowalczyk6Department of Medical Biology, Medical University of Lodz, Muszynskiego 1, 90-151 Lodz, PolandDepartment of Allergology and Respiratory Rehabilitation, Medical University of Lodz, 90-725 Lodz, PolandDepartment of Bioinorganic Chemistry, Medical University of Lodz, Muszynskiego 1, 90-151 Lodz, PolandStudents Research Group, Department of Medical Biology, Medical University of Lodz, 90-151 Lodz, PolandStudents Research Group, Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Genetics, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Banacha 12/16, 90-237 Lodz, PolandLittoral Environnement et Sociétés UMRi CNRS 7266 LIENSs, La Rochelle Université, 17042 La Rochelle, FranceStudents Research Group, Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Genetics, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Banacha 12/16, 90-237 Lodz, Poland<i>Theobroma cacao</i> L., commonly known as cocoa, has been an integral part of human culture and diet for thousands of years. However, recent scientific research has highlighted its potential therapeutic properties, particularly in the treatment of cancer and inflammatory diseases. This comprehensive review analyzes the anti-inflammatory and anticancer effects of <i>Theobroma cacao</i> extracts combined with nanoparticles using in vitro and in vivo studies. Its diverse biological activity can be attributed to its rich phytochemical profile, including polyphenols, flavonoids, and alkaloids. In vitro studies have found that cocoa extracts, alone or in combination with nanoparticles, inhibit cancer cell proliferation, induce apoptosis and modulate key signaling pathways in various cancer cell lines. The extracts have also been found to reduce tumor growth and enhance the efficacy of conventional chemotherapeutic agents, potentially reducing their side effects, in vivo. Its anti-inflammatory properties are based on its ability to modulate inflammatory mediators, inhibit NF-κB signaling, and regulate macrophage polarization. These effects have been observed in both cellular and animal models of inflammation. This review opens up new possibilities for future research and therapeutic applications, highlighting the potential of <i>Theobroma cacao</i> as a valuable complementary approach in the treatment and prevention of cancer and inflammatory diseases.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3921/13/11/1376<i>Theobroma cacao</i>anticanceranti-inflammatorypolyphenolsin vitro studiesin vivo studies |
| spellingShingle | Przemysław Sitarek Anna Merecz-Sadowska Joanna Sikora Weronika Osicka Igor Śpiewak Laurent Picot Tomasz Kowalczyk Exploring the Therapeutic Potential of <i>Theobroma cacao</i> L.: Insights from In Vitro, In Vivo, and Nanoparticle Studies on Anti-Inflammatory and Anticancer Effects Antioxidants <i>Theobroma cacao</i> anticancer anti-inflammatory polyphenols in vitro studies in vivo studies |
| title | Exploring the Therapeutic Potential of <i>Theobroma cacao</i> L.: Insights from In Vitro, In Vivo, and Nanoparticle Studies on Anti-Inflammatory and Anticancer Effects |
| title_full | Exploring the Therapeutic Potential of <i>Theobroma cacao</i> L.: Insights from In Vitro, In Vivo, and Nanoparticle Studies on Anti-Inflammatory and Anticancer Effects |
| title_fullStr | Exploring the Therapeutic Potential of <i>Theobroma cacao</i> L.: Insights from In Vitro, In Vivo, and Nanoparticle Studies on Anti-Inflammatory and Anticancer Effects |
| title_full_unstemmed | Exploring the Therapeutic Potential of <i>Theobroma cacao</i> L.: Insights from In Vitro, In Vivo, and Nanoparticle Studies on Anti-Inflammatory and Anticancer Effects |
| title_short | Exploring the Therapeutic Potential of <i>Theobroma cacao</i> L.: Insights from In Vitro, In Vivo, and Nanoparticle Studies on Anti-Inflammatory and Anticancer Effects |
| title_sort | exploring the therapeutic potential of i theobroma cacao i l insights from in vitro in vivo and nanoparticle studies on anti inflammatory and anticancer effects |
| topic | <i>Theobroma cacao</i> anticancer anti-inflammatory polyphenols in vitro studies in vivo studies |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3921/13/11/1376 |
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