Fat-soluble vitamins (vitamin A, D, E, and K) assume a pivotal role in maintaining human homeostasis by virtue of their enzymatic functions. The daily inclusion of these vitamins is imperative to the upkeep of various physiological processes including vision, bone health, immunity, and protection against oxidative stress. Current research highlights fat-soluble vitamins as potential therapeutics for human diseases, especially cancer. Fat-soluble vitamins exert their therapeutic effects through multiple pathways, including regulation of matrix metalloproteinases’ (MMPs) expression and enzymatic activity. As MMPs have been reported to be involved in the pathology of various diseases, such as cancers, cardiovascular diseases, and neurological disorders, regulating the expression and/or activity of MMPs could be considered as a potent therapeutic strategy. Here, we summarize the properties of fat-soluble vitamins and their potential as promising candidates capable of effectively modulating MMPs through multiple pathways to treat human diseases.

Cancer remains a prevalent global health concern, with key factors such as diet, environment, and genetics playing significant roles in its progression. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), particularly MMP-2 and MMP-9, play a critical role in cancer progression by degrading the extracellular matrix, thereby facilitating tumor growth and metastasis. Wine contains various bioactive compounds, including caffeic acid, gallic acid, kaempferol, naringenin, quercetin, myricetin, resveratrol, epigallocatechin gallate, riboflavin, and folic acid, which have shown promise in inhibiting cancer cell proliferation and metastasis. These compounds have been reported to downregulate the activity and/or expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9, thus potentially suppressing tumor progression. However, excessive alcohol consumption can lead to addiction and elevate the risk of various health complications, including fatty liver disease, cardiovascular damage, stroke, and kidney failure. Despite these concerns, moderate wine consumption has been associated with potential anticancer properties by restricting tumor growth and metastasis. In this review, we summarize and discuss how bioactive molecules in wine regulate MMP-2 and MMP-9 through bioactive compounds derived from wine and explore their implications for cancer treatment.

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), particularly MMP-2 and MMP-9, are directly involved in the degradation of the extracellular matrix preceding uncontrolled cancer growth and metastasis. For these reasons, MMPs are considered key therapeutic targets in the development of cancer treatments. Acknowledged for its prophylactic effects against various diseases including cancer, physical exercise has been reported to boost the immune system, enhance endogenous defence mechanisms, manage oxidative stress, and regulate MMP. Despite its benefits, patients with compromised capacity for physical activity due to injuries and frailty are often unable to take advantage of them. As a possible solution for this problem, the alternative therapeutic approach of exercise mimetics has been gaining traction through pharmacological interventions. Exercise mimetics are pharmacological agents that partially mimic the molecular and physiological benefits of physical exercise without requiring actual physical activity. Recent studies have indicated that the potential of these compounds may serve as candidates for further investigation in cancer treatment. In this study, the possible anti-cancer and anti-metastatic-related effects of six selected exercise mimetics (i.e., AICAR, Icariin, Berberine, Betaine, GW501516, and Metformin) were investigated by targeting activity and/or expression of MMP-2/9 in in vitro model. These compounds (i) inhibited MMP-2 activity by interacting with the active site and/or allosteric sites, (ii) downregulated MMP-2/9 expression by influencing STAT3 signalling pathways, and (iii) reduced lung cancer cells (A549) viability to varying degrees. Among the exercise mimetics, Icariin and Berberine have relatively stronger effects on both the activity of MMP-2 and the expression of MMP-2/9 in cancer cells. These findings highlight the novel potential of exercise mimetics as targeted cancer therapeutics through the regulation of MMP activity and expression in cancer progression and metastasis.

In recent years, the role of coenzymes, particularly those from the vitamin B group in modulating the activity of metalloenzymes has garnered significant attention in cancer treatment strategies. Metalloenzymes play pivotal roles in various cellular processes, including DNA repair, cell signaling, and metabolism, making them promising targets for cancer therapy. This review explores the complex interplay between coenzymes, specifically vitamin Bs, and metalloenzymes in cancer pathogenesis and treatment. Vitamins are an indispensable part of daily life, essential for optimal health and well-being. Beyond their recognized roles as essential nutrients, vitamins have increasingly garnered attention for their multifaceted functions within the machinery of cellular processes. In particular, vitamin Bs have emerged as a pivotal regulator within this intricate network, exerting profound effects on the functionality of metalloenzymes. Their ability to modulate metalloenzymes involved in crucial cellular pathways implicated in cancer progression presents a compelling avenue for therapeutic intervention. Key findings indicate that vitamin Bs can influence the activity and expression of metalloenzymes, thereby affecting processes such as DNA repair and cell signaling, which are critical in cancer development and progression. Understanding the mechanisms by which these coenzymes regulate metalloenzymes holds great promise for developing novel anticancer strategies. This review summarizes current knowledge on the interactions between vitamin Bs and metalloenzymes, highlighting their potential as anticancer agents and paving the way for innovative, cell-targeted cancer treatments.