A comprehensive review of six dietary polyphenols in colorectal cancer: Pharmacokinetics, mechanism and therapeutic potentials.
Level 5 - mechanism / opinion, no new human data
Narrative review with in silico computational modeling and bench/animal literature synthesis
PubMed 41289747 · doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2025.157509
What was done
The authors reviewed literature published between January 1, 2019, and May 31, 2025, evaluating the preventive and therapeutic effects of six dietary polyphenols in colorectal cancer (CRC). A total of 333 eligible in vitro, animal, and human studies were retrieved from PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar. Pharmacokinetics, drug-likeness, and toxicity profiles were modeled computationally using SwissADME and ProTox 3.0.
What was found
The abstract reports no quantitative clinical metrics or effect sizes. Shared mechanisms identified across the polyphenols included cell cycle arrest, inhibition of oncogenic proliferation and angiogenesis pathways, induction of apoptosis or autophagy, reduction of oxidative stress and inflammation, and modulation of gut microbiota. In silico ADMET profiling suggested favorable gastrointestinal absorption, moderate lipophilicity, selective cytochrome P450 inhibition, and an overall good safety profile, alongside key limitations in bioavailability and metabolic stability.
Why it matters
This paper summarizes recent mechanistic pathways and computational pharmacokinetics for six common dietary polyphenols, outlining their potential as adjunct CRC therapies and defining the delivery barriers that must be overcome.
Limits
The abstract reports no numerical outcome data, pooled effect sizes, or formal risk-of-bias assessments. The evidence is predominantly derived from preclinical models and in silico predictions rather than robust human clinical trial data. High metabolic instability and poor bioavailability remain unvalidated challenges in clinical settings.
Cited by
- supports Animals do not produce polyphenols.