Anthocyanin supplement as a dietary strategy in cancer prevention and management: A comprehensive review

Abstract

Anthocyanins are natural pigments proven to be beneficial in the vast majority of health problems with no side effects. In this review, the latest progress on the cancer prevention and management of anthocyanins in treating cancers ranked in the top 5 of incidence and mortality was summarized, and the interaction and corresponding mechanisms were established based on a systematic review of electronic libraries. Several studies have revealed that anthocyanins have positive impact on human health with anti-cancer capacity. This review aimed to accumulate the evidence on the anti-cancer effects of anthocyanins, corresponding mechanisms and limitation of anthocyanins on cancer prevention and management. Notably, this review updated the latest studies on cancer prevention and management of anthocyanins and also inputted the future perspectives and the demanding questions for the possible contribution of anthocyanins as anti-cancer adjuvant.

Keywords:

• Anthocyanin
• anti-cancer
• immunotherapy
• chemotherapy

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Guangzhou Science and Technology Program key projects (No. 201903010082); and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC, No. 31771983); and Program for Research and Development in Key areas of Guangdong Province (2019B020210003); and one grant from BNU-HKBU United International College (UIC202007); and one research grant from Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province (No. 2017A030310176).