Potential Roles and Mechanisms of Avena Sativa in Cancer Prevention

The protective effects of dietary fiber are attributed to several mechanisms: it regulates bowel movements by increasing stool bulk and speeding up gastrointestinal transit, which minimizes the contact time between carcinogens and the intestinal lining, thus reducing cancer risk; it dilutes fecal carcinogens due to increased stool volume, lessening their interaction with the colonic epithelium; the fermentation of fiber by gut microbiota produces short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) like butyrate, which protect against cancer by serving as an energy source for colonocytes, maintaining mucosal integrity, and exhibiting anti-inflammatory properties; dietary fiber also modulates gut microbiota, encouraging the growth of beneficial bacteria that can outcompete harmful, carcinogen-producing bacteria; it enhances immune function by influencing gut immune cells, aiding in the removal of cancer cells and preventing inflammation, a known cancer risk factor; fiber binds to bile acids, leading to their excretion and preventing the formation of more carcinogenic secondary bile acids implicated in colorectal cancer development; and SCFAs, particularly butyrate, affect cell proliferation and differentiation, inducing apoptosis in cancer cells and inhibiting the growth of neoplastic cells. Flavonoids, polyphenolic compounds in Avena Sativa, display antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiproliferative activities, modulating enzyme function, inhibiting cell growth, and inducing apoptosis in cancer cells. Avenanthramides and other anti-inflammatory compounds in Avena Sativa modulate multiple inflammatory pathways, including inhibiting the activity of enzymes like COX-۲ and reducing the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, potentially lowering the risk of chronic inflammation-related cancers.

کلیدواژه ها:

Antioxidants ، Avena Sativa ، Cancer ، COX-۲ ، miRNA