Cancer is the third cause of death worldwide, with complex etiology, and is defined as an uncontrolled growth of cells. A high proportion of cancer incidence and deaths are due to different environmental and genetic factors such as high body mass index, low fruit and vegetable intake, lack of physical activity, tobacco use, alcohol consumption, exposure to radiation, chronic infections, and heredity also. In addition, oxidative stress plays a crucial role in the pathophysiology of different types of cancer. Hence, screening and testing of more effective compounds with minimum side effects for the prevention and treatment of cancers started a few decades ago. Regarding this, much attention has been paid to natural antioxidants as a novel prevention and treatment strategy for cancer. Flavonoids are one of the most important ingredients in vegetables and fruits, especially in the genus Citrus. Hesperidin is a flavonone glycoside, belonging to the flavonoid family, which is widely found in Citrus species and acts as a potent antioxidant and anticancer agent. In the present review, we attempt to provide an overview and summarize the scientific literature about the cancer chemoprotective effects of hesperidin with an emphasis on its relation to the protection roles against oxidative stress.

The Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a xenobiotic and endobiotic receptor, which regulates many cellular processes from contaminant metabolism to immunomodulation. Consequently, it is also involved in pathophysiological pathways and now represents a potential therapeutical target. In this review, we will highlight the ancestral function of the protein together with an illustration of its ligand’s battery, emphasizing the different responses triggered by these high diverse molecules. Among them, several members of the kynurenine pathway (one key process of tryptophan catabolism) are AhR agonists and are subsequently involved in regulatory functions. We will finally display the interplay between Tryptophan (Trp) catabolism and dysregulation in metabolic pathways drawing hypothesis on the involvement of the AhR pathway in these cancer-related processes.

Purpose. Sepsis originates from the host inflammatory response, especially to bacterial infections, and is considered one of the main causes of death in intensive care units. Various agents have been developed to inhibit mediators of the inflammatory response; one prospective agent is β‐sitosterol (βS), a phytosterol with a structure similar to cholesterol. This study is aimed at evaluating the effects of βS on the biomarkers of inflammation and liver function in cecal ligation and puncture‐ (CLP‐) induced septic rats. Methods. Thirty male Wistar rats were divided equally into six groups as follows: sham, CLP, CLP+dexamethasone (DX, 0.2 mg/kg), CLP+βS (1 mg/kg), CLP+imipenem (IMI, 20 mg/kg), and CLP+IMI (20 mg/kg)+βS (1 mg/kg). Serum levels of IL‐1β, IL‐6, IL‐10, AST, ALT, and liver glutathione (GSH) were assessed by ELISA. Liver expression levels of TNF‐α and NF‐κBi mRNAs were evaluated by RT‐qPCR. Results. Serum concentrations of IL‐1β, IL‐6, IL‐10, ALT, and AST and mRNA levels of TNF‐α and NF‐κBi were all significantly higher in septic rats than in normal rats (p < 0.05). Liver GSH content was markedly lower in the CLP group than that in the sham group. βS‐treated rats had remarkably lower levels of IL‐1β, IL‐6, IL‐10, TNF‐α, NF‐κBi, AST, and ALT (51.79%, 62.63%, 41.46%, 54.35%, 94.37%, 95.30%, 34.87%, and 46.53% lower, respectively) and greater liver GSH content (35.71% greater) compared to the CLP group (p < 0.05). Conclusion. βS may play a protective role in the septic process by mitigating inflammation. This effect is at least partly mediated by inhibition of the NF‐κB signaling pathway. Thus, βS can be considered as a supplementary treatment in septic patients.

During past two decades, plant-derived bioactive compounds have been reported as novel therapeutic agents for prevention and/or mitigation of different human diseases such as cancer, inflammation, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. Hesperidin is known as one of the most common and bioactive constituents of Citrus (C) species which possesses multiple health-promotion effects. A plethora of scientific literature reported that hesperidin possesses in-vitro and in-vivo anticancer activities. In addition, there are numerous scientific evidences regarding the molecular mechanisms of anticancer activities of hesperidin and its aglycone, hesperetin. However, in this case, the number of comprehensive reviews on molecular mechanisms underlying the anticancer effects of hesperidin is sparse. Therefore, in this work we present a critical review of the available literature regarding the molecular mechanisms of the anticancer effects of hesperidin and its aglycone, hesperetin.

Oral mucositis is a major clinical challenge in oncology and is characterized by pain and inflammation of the mucous membrane surface resulting from radiotherapy for head and neck cancer or from chemotherapeutic agents. Manifestations range from a burning sensation to ulcer formation that affect the patients’ quality of life by producing pain and discomfort on swallowing, ultimately leading to malnutrition and dehydration. Due to complications arising from the use of chemical drugs, in recent decades, increasing attention has been paid to natural-based agents. The results from several studies evaluating natural products for the prevention or reduction of chemotherapy- and radiotherapy-induced oral mucositis are promising. This comprehensive review aims to provide updated information concerning the natural agents that are effective against mucositis in cancer patients receiving radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy.