Soy Isoflavones Induce Cell Death by Copper-Mediated Mechanism: Understanding Its Anticancer Properties

Mohd Farhan; Mohamed El Oirdi; Mohammad Aatif; Insha Nahvi; Ghazala Muteeb; Mir Waqas Alam

doi:10.3390/molecules28072925

journal article Open Access Mar 24, 2023

Soy Isoflavones Induce Cell Death by Copper-Mediated Mechanism: Understanding Its Anticancer Properties

Mohd Farhan

Mohamed El Oirdi

Mohammad Aatif

Insha Nahvi Ghazala Muteeb

Mir Waqas Alam

Molecules Vol. 28 No. 7 pp. 2925 · MDPI AG

View at Publisher Save 10.3390/molecules28072925

Abstract

Cancer incidence varies around the globe, implying a relationship between food and cancer risk. Plant polyphenols are a class of secondary metabolites that have recently attracted attention as possible anticancer agents. The subclass of polyphenols, known as isoflavones, includes genistein and daidzein, which are present in soybeans and are regarded as potent chemopreventive agents. According to epidemiological studies, those who eat soy have a lower risk of developing certain cancers. Several mechanisms for the anticancer effects of isoflavones have been proposed, but none are conclusive. We show that isoflavones suppress prostate cancer cell growth by mobilizing endogenous copper. The copper-specific chelator neocuproine decreases the apoptotic potential of isoflavones, whereas the iron and zinc chelators desferroxamine mesylate and histidine do not, confirming the role of copper. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavengers reduce isoflavone-induced apoptosis in these cells, implying that ROS are cell death effectors. Our research also clearly shows that isoflavones interfere with the expression of the two copper transporter genes, CTR1 and ATP7A, in cancerous cells. Copper levels are widely known to be significantly raised in all malignancies, and we confirm that isoflavones can target endogenous copper, causing prooxidant signaling and, eventually, cell death. These results highlight the importance of copper dynamics within cancer cells and provide new insight into the potential of isoflavones as cancer-fighting nutraceuticals.

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References

Details

Published: Mar 24, 2023
Vol/Issue: 28(7)
Pages: 2925
License: View

Authors

M

Mohd Farhan

Department of Basic Sciences, Preparatory Year Deanship, King Faisal University, Al Ahsa 31982, Saudi Arabia

M

Mohamed El Oirdi

Department of Basic Sciences, Preparatory Year Deanship, King Faisal University, Al Ahsa 31982, Saudi Arabia

M

Mohammad Aatif

Department of Public Health, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Faisal University, Al Ahsa 31982, Saudi Arabia

I

Insha Nahvi

Department of Basic Sciences, Preparatory Year Deanship, King Faisal University, Al Ahsa 31982, Saudi Arabia

G

Ghazala Muteeb

Department of Nursing, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Faisal University, Al Ahsa 31982, Saudi Arabia

M

Mir Waqas Alam

Department of Physics, College of Science, King Faisal University, Al Ahsa 31982, Saudi Arabia

Funding

Deputyship for Research and Innovation, Ministry of Education in Saudi Arabia Award: INST168

Cite This Article

Mohd Farhan, Mohamed El Oirdi, Mohammad Aatif, et al. (2023). Soy Isoflavones Induce Cell Death by Copper-Mediated Mechanism: Understanding Its Anticancer Properties. Molecules, 28(7), 2925. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28072925

Soy Isoflavones Induce Cell Death by Copper-Mediated Mechanism: Understanding Its Anticancer Properties

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