Mitochondria are organelles responsible for several crucial cell functions, including respiration, oxidative phosphorylation, and regulation of apoptosis; they are also the main intracellular source of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In the last years, a particular interest has been devoted to studying the effects on mitochondria of natural compounds of vegetal origin, quercetin (Qu), resveratrol (RSV), and curcumin (Cur) being the most studied molecules. All these natural compounds modulate mitochondrial functions by inhibiting organelle enzymes or metabolic pathways (such as oxidative phosphorylation), by altering the production of mitochondrial ROS and by modulating the activity of transcription factors which regulate the expression of mitochondrial proteins. While Qu displays both pro- and antioxidant activities, RSV and Cur are strong antioxidant, as they efficiently scavenge mitochondrial ROS and upregulate antioxidant transcriptional programmes in cells. All the three compounds display a proapoptotic activity, mediated by the capability to directly cause the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria or indirectly by upregulating the expression of proapoptotic proteins of Bcl-2 family and downregulating antiapoptotic proteins. Interestingly, these effects are particularly evident on proliferating cancer cells and can have important therapeutic implications.

Natural Compounds Modulating Mitochondrial Functions / Gibellini, Lara; Bianchini, Elena; DE BIASI, Sara; Nasi, Milena; Cossarizza, Andrea; Pinti, Marcello. - In: EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE. - ISSN 1741-427X. - ELETTRONICO. - 2015:(2015), pp. 1-13. [10.1155/2015/527209]

Natural Compounds Modulating Mitochondrial Functions

GIBELLINI, Lara;BIANCHINI, ELENA;DE BIASI, SARA;NASI, Milena;COSSARIZZA, Andrea;PINTI, Marcello
2015

Abstract

Mitochondria are organelles responsible for several crucial cell functions, including respiration, oxidative phosphorylation, and regulation of apoptosis; they are also the main intracellular source of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In the last years, a particular interest has been devoted to studying the effects on mitochondria of natural compounds of vegetal origin, quercetin (Qu), resveratrol (RSV), and curcumin (Cur) being the most studied molecules. All these natural compounds modulate mitochondrial functions by inhibiting organelle enzymes or metabolic pathways (such as oxidative phosphorylation), by altering the production of mitochondrial ROS and by modulating the activity of transcription factors which regulate the expression of mitochondrial proteins. While Qu displays both pro- and antioxidant activities, RSV and Cur are strong antioxidant, as they efficiently scavenge mitochondrial ROS and upregulate antioxidant transcriptional programmes in cells. All the three compounds display a proapoptotic activity, mediated by the capability to directly cause the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria or indirectly by upregulating the expression of proapoptotic proteins of Bcl-2 family and downregulating antiapoptotic proteins. Interestingly, these effects are particularly evident on proliferating cancer cells and can have important therapeutic implications.
2015
18-giu-2015
2015
1
13
Natural Compounds Modulating Mitochondrial Functions / Gibellini, Lara; Bianchini, Elena; DE BIASI, Sara; Nasi, Milena; Cossarizza, Andrea; Pinti, Marcello. - In: EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE. - ISSN 1741-427X. - ELETTRONICO. - 2015:(2015), pp. 1-13. [10.1155/2015/527209]
Gibellini, Lara; Bianchini, Elena; DE BIASI, Sara; Nasi, Milena; Cossarizza, Andrea; Pinti, Marcello
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
2015 Gibellini eCAM.pdf

Open access

Descrizione: Finale version
Tipologia: Versione pubblicata dall'editore
Dimensione 1.38 MB
Formato Adobe PDF
1.38 MB Adobe PDF Visualizza/Apri
Pubblicazioni consigliate

Licenza Creative Commons
I metadati presenti in IRIS UNIMORE sono rilasciati con licenza Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal, mentre i file delle pubblicazioni sono rilasciati con licenza Attribuzione 4.0 Internazionale (CC BY 4.0), salvo diversa indicazione.
In caso di violazione di copyright, contattare Supporto Iris

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11380/1070414
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? 41
  • Scopus 106
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 83
social impact