PMC

Schematic representation depicting the multistage process, including initiation, promotion, and progression, of carcinogenesis, and the biological targets of polyphenols at each step.

Role of polyphenols in the modulation of autophagy in breast cancer. Polyphenols modulate the autophagy process by regulating various signaling pathways, such as the PI3K/AKT, RAS/RAF/ERK, PKCδ, and AMPK signaling pathways.

Overview summarizing the main health benefits of polyphenols. Polyphenols play key roles in the prevention of serious diseases that threaten human life and negatively affect quality of life, such as cancer, metabolic diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, hypertension, and cardiac diseases.

Diagram summarizing the classes of polyphenols and their basic chemical structures. Polyphenols can be separated into two main classes: flavonoids and non-flavonoids. The flavonoid class consists of two benzene rings, linked by a heterocyclic pyrone C-ring. The non-flavonoids class contains more intricate molecules, namely, benzoic acid, hydroxycinnamates, stilbenes, lignans, gallic acids tannins, and gallotannins.

Comprehensive representation summarizing the possible mechanisms of action of polyphenols against breast cancer. The anti-cancer activity of polyphenols is mediated via the regulation of various signaling pathways, such as intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic pathways, estrogen-related signaling pathways, cell cycle arrest, and inflammation-related signaling pathways. RES, resveratrol; CUR, curcumin; GENI, genistein; QUR, quercetin; APIG, apigenin.