Table 2.

Effect of common nutritional agents on cancer-related symptoms

Curcumin Significantly attenuated fatigue in an immunologically induced mouse model concurrent with a significant reduction in serum TNF-α162 Reduced fatigue in a mouse model in association with decreased IL-β, IL-6, and TNF-α in soleus muscle163 In combination with insulin significantly reduced neuropathic pain and TNF-α level in diabetic mice164,165 Chronic treatment with curcumin (60 mg/kg) significantly attenuated cognitive deficits and serum TNF-α in diabetic rats166 Significantly improved body weight and decreased serum TNF-α level in patients with colorectal cancer167

Genistein Administration (3 and 6 mg/kg) to STZ-induced diabetic mice significantly reduced IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α and neuropathic pain170 Ameliorated neuropathic pain in mice induced by chronic sciatic nerve constriction and reduced peripheral and central NF-κB, IL-1β and IL-6 overactivation172 Injections of genistein (i.c.v.) inhibited LPS-induced anorexia in rats173

Resveratrol Significantly attenuated STZ-induced neuropathic pain and TNF-α in a diabetic mouse model165,179 Attenuated the weight loss and protein degradation observed in skeletal muscle of mice bearing the cachexia-inducing MAC16 tumor and produced a significant reduction in NF-κB-DNA binding activity180

EGCG Chronic treatment with EGCG significantly reduced TNF-α level and fatigue in mice188 Significantly reduced cognitive deficits and levels of TNF-α, IL-1β and NF-κB in ethanol-exposed rat pups189

Lycopene Chronic treatment improved cognitive deficit in STZ-induced diabetic rats and reduced serum TNF-α level195 Attenuated neuropathic pain in STZ-induced diabetic mice, possibly through its inhibitory action on TNF-α release196

EGCG, epigallocatechin gallate; i.c.v., intracerebroventicular; IL, interleukin; LPS, lipopolysaccharide; NF-κB, nuclear factor kappa B; STZ, streptozotocin; TNF, tumor necrosis factor