The Rationale Behind the Therapeutic Potential of Drugs Containing Hydroxycinnamic Acid on Hepatocellular Cancer Induced by 4-Dimethylaminoazobenzene: Technique-Related Implications

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Division of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Egypt.

2 Department of Clinical Trial Research Unit and Drug Discovery, Egyptian Liver Research Institute and Hospital (ELRIAH), Mansoura, Egypt

3 Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafrelsheikh, Egypt.

4 Physiology Department, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt.

5 Division of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Egypt

Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common cause of cancer-related death. Although there are several therapeutic options, including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation that are helpful in the early stages of HCC, and sorafenib is an effective systemic therapy in the advanced stages of HCC, not all HCC cases are susceptible to sorafenib.  This is a significant issue that the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma faces globally. Recently, new methods for the prevention and therapy of HCC have been developed using phytochemicals. One phytochemical substance that many researchers are particularly interested in is hydroxycinnamic acid. According to mounting evidence, oxidative stress contributes to the growth of hepatocellular carcinoma by damaging DNA and altering the expression of genes relevant to inflammation and apoptosis. Hydroxycinnamic acid compounds have a powerful antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-microbial activity. Thus, many recent studies investigate the potential role of hydroxycinnamic acid compounds in the prevention and treatment of numerous diseases related to oxidative stress such as cancer. In this study, we hypothesize that compounds containing hydroxycinnamic acid may have a potential therapeutic role in HCC caused by 4-dimethylaminoazobenzene. Evaluating the data and methodological findings that support our hypothesis may aid in identifying a new compound and techniques for developing an anticancer drug or strengthening the resistance of currently used therapy.

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