Effects of Medicinal Plants and Phytochemicals in Nrf2 Pathways during Inflammatory Bowel Diseases and Related Colorectal Cancer: A Comprehensive Review
Lucas Fornari Laurindo,
Mariana Canevari de Maio,
Giulia Minniti,
Natália de Góes Corrêa,
Sandra Maria Barbalho,
Karina Quesada,
Elen Landgraf Guiguer,
Kátia Portero Sloan,
Claudia R. P. Detregiachi,
Adriano Cressoni Araújo,
Ricardo de Alvares Goulart
Affiliations
Lucas Fornari Laurindo
Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Marília (UNIMAR), Avenida Hygino Muzzy Filho, 1001, Marília 17525-902, São Paulo, Brazil
Mariana Canevari de Maio
Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Faculdade de Medicina de Marília (FAMEMA), Avenida Monte Carmelo, 800, Marília 17519-030, São Paulo, Brazil
Giulia Minniti
Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Marília (UNIMAR), Avenida Hygino Muzzy Filho, 1001, Marília 17525-902, São Paulo, Brazil
Natália de Góes Corrêa
Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Marília (UNIMAR), Avenida Hygino Muzzy Filho, 1001, Marília 17525-902, São Paulo, Brazil
Sandra Maria Barbalho
Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Marília (UNIMAR), Avenida Hygino Muzzy Filho, 1001, Marília 17525-902, São Paulo, Brazil
Karina Quesada
Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Marília (UNIMAR), Avenida Hygino Muzzy Filho, 1001, Marília 17525-902, São Paulo, Brazil
Elen Landgraf Guiguer
Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Marília (UNIMAR), Avenida Hygino Muzzy Filho, 1001, Marília 17525-902, São Paulo, Brazil
Kátia Portero Sloan
Texas Institute for Kidney and Endocrine Disorders, Lufkin, TX 75904, USA
Claudia R. P. Detregiachi
Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Marília (UNIMAR), Avenida Hygino Muzzy Filho, 1001, Marília 17525-902, São Paulo, Brazil
Adriano Cressoni Araújo
Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Marília (UNIMAR), Avenida Hygino Muzzy Filho, 1001, Marília 17525-902, São Paulo, Brazil
Ricardo de Alvares Goulart
Postgraduate Program in Structural and Functional Interactions in Rehabilitation, University of Marília (UNIMAR), Avenida Hygino Muzzy Filho, 1001, Marília 17525-902, São Paulo, Brazil
Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) are related to nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) dysregulation. In vitro and in vivo studies using phytocompounds as modulators of the Nrf2 signaling in IBD have already been published. However, no existing review emphasizes the whole scenario for the potential of plants and phytocompounds as regulators of Nrf2 in IBD models and colitis-associated colorectal carcinogenesis. For these reasons, this study aimed to build a review that could fill this void. The PubMed, EMBASE, COCHRANE, and Google Scholar databases were searched. The literature review showed that medicinal plants and phytochemicals regulated the Nrf2 on IBD and IBD-associated colorectal cancer by amplifying the expression of the Nrf2-mediated phase II detoxifying enzymes and diminishing NF-κB-related inflammation. These effects improve the bowel environment, mucosal barrier, colon, and crypt disruption, reduce ulceration and microbial translocation, and consequently, reduce the disease activity index (DAI). Moreover, the modulation of Nrf2 can regulate various genes involved in cellular redox, protein degradation, DNA repair, xenobiotic metabolism, and apoptosis, contributing to the prevention of colorectal cancer.