Chemosensitizing Effects Of Five Phytochemical Compounds On Cancer Cells

Background: Increasing number of natural products have been used for cancer treatment. More and more pure components from natural products have identified with beneficial effect including both direct cytotoxic effect and chemosensitizing effect (CE). The cytotoxicity indicates a potential use for inhibiting tumor growth, while CE can be applied to overcome the chemoresistance. Methods: In this study, five active components including gallic acid, tannic acid, quercetin, myrecitin and serotonin widely studied for their activity in improving human health, were tested for the cytotoxicity as well as CE against prostate, leukemic and breast cancer cells. Results: These compounds were cytotoxic effect if administered alone, while they showed chemosensitizing effect (CE) on current chemotherapeutic drugs. Conclusions: This may represent a new pharmacological strategy to treat several types of cancer cells by providing mono-or multi-therapies that are significantly reduces the risk of anticancer side effect.