Review Article

Molecular Targets of Omega-3 Fatty Acids for Cancer Therapy

Author(s):

K. Pandima Devi, T. Rajavel, G. L. Russo, M. Daglia, S. F. Nabavi and S. M. Nabavi   Pages 888 - 895 ( 8 )

Abstract:

Nowadays, dietary guidelines acknowledge the therapeutic role of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, as the most important class of fatty acids, against different human diseases. During the last two decades, the average level of consumption of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids has increased from 0.1 to 0.2 g per day. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids are a group of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids which are identified in different foods such as fatty fish, shellfish, and vegetable oils. A growing body of epidemiological and experimental evidence supports the anticancer effects of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, which led to the identification of their molecular targets in several cancer models. The present review focuses on the basic evidence supporting the potential applications of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in cancer therapy.

Keywords:

Anticancer, fish oil, molecular targets, omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Affiliation:

Department of Biotechnology, Alagappa University, Karaikudi-630 004, Tamil Nadu, India., , , , , Applied Biotechnology Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, P.O. Box 19395-5487, Iran.

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