Inflammation is caused by a variety of stimuli including physical damage, UV irradiation, microbial invasion, and immune reactions. The classical key features of inflammation are redness, warmth, swelling, and pain, and their cascades can lead to the inflammatory bowel disease and psoriasis. Many inflammatory diseases are becoming common among the elderly worldwide. Clinically used anti-inflammatory drugs suffer from the disadvantages of side effects and high treatment costs in the case of biologics. Therefore, research on new anti-inflammatory molecules and the elucidation of their molecular mechanisms are being actively conducted. This Special Issue on "Chemopreventive Activities of Phytochemicals" is intended to offer anti-inflammatory active natural products as candidates and/or leads for pharmaceuticals. The research fields of this Special Issue include natural products, chemistry, phytochemistry, pharmacognosy, food chemistry, bioorganic synthetic chemistry, chemical biology, molecular biology, molecular pharmacology, and other related research fields.

Phytochemicals as Bioactive Agents focuses on the mechanisms of action of phytochemicals identified as displaying bioactivity in the prevention of cancer, heart disease and other diseases, and the prospects for developing functional foods containing these bioactive compounds. An internationally recognized group of experts presents the latest research findings on the antimutagenic and anticarcinogenic effects of tea and tea constituents; chemoprevention provided by plants in the family Cruciferae and genus Allium by altering carcinogen metabolism; anticarcinogenic effects of carotenoids and curcumins; the chemistry and application of alfalfa saponins; the bioactive components of rice bran and rice oil; the effects of garlic on lowering serum cholesterol; and using phytochemicals to optimize gastrointestinal tract health and function. Also included are chapters on: strategies to identify bioactive phytochemicals in foods; the design, conduct and interpretation of clinical trials to test phytochemicals for expected bioactivity; compounds that have potential use as phytochemical antimicrobial agents (PAM) in food processing; and designing bioactive functional foods. This book will be of interest to food scientists and technologists, food process engineers, biochemists, nutritionists, public health professionals, and entrepreneurs involved in the design, processing, and marketing of new functional food products.

During the past decade, a significant amount of research has been conducted on phytopharmaceuticals. Today, a growing body of evidence demonstrates the efficacy of a wide variety of natural products and affirms their potential in the treatment of cancer. Phytopharmaceuticals in Cancer Chemoprevention focuses on the role of natural supplemen

Phytochemicals are plant derived chemicals which may bestow health benefits when consumed, whether medicinally or as part of a balanced diet. Given that plant foods are a major component of most diets worldwide, it is unsurprising that these foods represent the greatest source of phytochemicals for most people. Yet it is only relatively recently that due recognition has been given to the importance of phytochemicals in maintaining our health. New evidence for the role of specific plant food phytochemicals in protecting against the onset of diseases such as cancers and heart disease is continually being put forward. The increasing awareness of consumers of the link between diet and health has exponentially increased the number of scientific studies into the biological effects of these substances. The Handbook of Plant Food Phytochemicals provides a comprehensive overview of the occurrence, significance and factors effecting phytochemicals in plant foods. A key of objective of the book is to critically evaluate these aspects. Evaluation of the evidence for and against the quantifiable health benefits being imparted as expressed in terms of the reduction in the risk of disease conferred through the consumption of foods that are rich in phytochemicals. With world-leading editors and contributors, the Handbook of Plant Food Phytochemicals is an invaluable, cutting-edge resource for food scientists, nutritionists and plant biochemists. It covers the processing techniques aimed at the production of phytochemical-rich foods which can have a role in disease-prevention, making it ideal for both the food industry and those who are researching the health benefits of particular foods. Lecturers and advanced students will find it a helpful and readable guide to a constantly expanding subject area.

This book covers various aspects of cancer chemoprevention, including an overview of chemoprevention in the process of tumorigenesis; the roles of various phytochemicals, functional foods, and dietary interventions in disease prevention; and techniques such as cancer stem cell targeting, nano-formulations, and so forth. The nutrigenomic and epigenetic effects of natural products at the molecular and genetic levels are also covered alongside their potential for additive and synergistic effect, as well as overcoming drug resistance. The key selling features of the book are as follows: Discusses holistic and comprehensive areas of chemoprevention Includes diverse techniques, such as cancer stem cell targeting, nano-formulations, and nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems Introduces various mechanisms involved in prevention of the diseases, including targeting cancer stem cells Reviews various aspects which can reduce the toxicity and cost of treatment of diseases by alternative medicine Explores various sources, mechanisms, and ways to develop cancer chemopreventive agents with minimal toxicity compared to traditional cancer therapy drugs This book is focused on researchers and graduate students in drug delivery and formulation, nanobiotechnology, cancer chemoprevention, prevention, and therapeutics.

Phytochemicals and derivatives have become promising alternatives to increase treatment potential in cancer patients with minimal side effects. Drug-delivery Systems of Phytochemicals as Therapeutic Strategies in Cancer Therapy elucidates the importance of various phytochemicals in cancer therapy and explains various routes/methods to deliver phytochemicals for overcoming the problems associated with delivery system in cancer treatment. Several nanotechnological methods are followed to enhance drug solubility, sustainability, bioavailability and gastrointestinal permeability of these phytochemicals. The advanced field of drug-delivery systems explains that combination therapy for cancer treatment has important benefits over mono-delivery therapeutics. Natural compounds, because of their biobased origin, have drawn higher attention than synthetic drugs. Synthesis of nano-phytomedicines has impacted the bioavailability of phytochemicals. Novel formulations have been synthesized loaded with phytochemicals and have revealed extraordinary results in treatment of various cancers. Current understanding of the relevant information presented in Drug-delivery systems of phytochemicals as therapeutic strategies in cancer therapy fulfils the requirements of oncologists, molecular biologists, pharmacologist and related researchers, who want to work in the areas of drug development targeting phytochemicals for cancer therapy - Explains the significance of phytochemicals in cancer therapy, along with their pharmacologic action - Elucidates the importance of various phytochemicals in cancer therapy - Explains the emerging need of drug-delivery system for plant metabolites - Deciphers the various drug-delivery systems for phytomedicines involved in cancer treatments - Describes the crucial role of nanotechnology in the development of drug-delivery systems for anticancer phytochemicals - Explores the challenges associated with developing drug-delivery systems for phytochemicals to cure cancer

Bioactive Phytochemicals from Himalayas: A Phytotherapeutic Approach covers herbal medicines from the Himalayan mountains. Chapters in this book detail molecular mechanisms and experimental tools and techniques for research on plants in this region. Phytochemical experts guide the readers through the role of Himalayan plants in therapy for metabolic diseases like cancer and diabetes, hepatic diseases, inflammatory diseases, and neurodegenerative diseases. Some chapters focus on diseases and how various plants from Himalayan origin are beneficial in these diseases. This compilation,with professional contributors, aims to inform a wide scientific community from various research fields about basic research on medicinal plants with a focus on Himalayan herbs. The book also serves as a handbook for pharmacologists working on the broad therapeutic aspects of these plants.

The sixth annual research conference of the American Institute for Cancer Research was held August 31 and September 1, 1995, at the Loews L'Enfant Plaza Hotel in Washing ton, DC. In view of the promising leads in the diet/nutrition and cancer research field, the conference was devoted to "Dietary Phytochemicals in Cancer Prevention and Treatment. " The number of sessions was increased over that in previous conferences in order to accommodate the topics of interest. The conference overview, entitled "Plants and Cancer: Food, Fiber, and Phytochemicals," provided a framework for the following sessions. In addition, the attendees were reminded that for several decades epidemiologists have noted a lower risk of lung, esophageal, stomach, and colon cancer in populations consuming diets high in fruits and vegetables. However, isolation and ingestion of individual protective factors are not the preferred action since the complexity of the food and the matrix in which nutritional factors are embedded are important. The individual sessions then provided more insight as to why eating fruits and vegetables is associated with a lower risk of cancer. The first of these sessions was on "Isothiocyanates" that induce both the Phase I and Phase II enzymes that increase detoxification and conjugation reactions, thus causing more rapid removal of any xenobiotic or carcinogen. Thus, less carcinogen is available for interaction with DNA or other critical cellular macromolecules.