Vol. 6, Issue 2, Part A (2024)

The therapeutic potential of dietary plants in modulating inflammation and carcinogenesis has garnered significant attention in recent years. Among these, Amaranthus species, widely cultivated as leafy vegetables and pseudocereals, are recognized for their rich profile of bioactive phytochemicals including flavonoids, phenolic acids, saponins, and betalains. Cyclooxygenase (COX) and lipoxygenase (LOX) enzymes are pivotal regulators of the arachidonic acid cascade, orchestrating the biosynthesis of pro-inflammatory eicosanoids such as prostaglandins and leukotrienes, which play critical roles in tumor initiation, progression, and metastasis. Emerging evidence suggests that Amaranthus-derived bioactives exert selective inhibition of COX-2 and 5-LOX isoforms through direct enzyme binding, modulation of transcriptional activity of NF-κB and AP-1, and epigenetic regulation of inflammatory genes. These interactions attenuate prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and leukotriene B4 (LTB4) production, thereby reducing chronic inflammation and oxidative stress that predispose to oncogenesis. Preclinical models demonstrate dose-dependent suppression of tumor multiplicity and growth in colorectal and mammary carcinogenesis following dietary supplementation with Amaranthus extracts. Additionally, synergistic interactions between polyphenols and betalains appear to enhance redox homeostasis, contributing to apoptosis induction, cell-cycle arrest, and inhibition of angiogenesis. This review integrates molecular insights from biochemical, cellular, and animal studies to establish a mechanistic framework for the role of Amaranthus bioactives in cancer chemoprevention. The findings highlight the translational potential of Amaranthus-based dietary interventions and functional food formulations as adjunctive strategies in cancer therapy, warranting further clinical validation and nutrigenomic exploration.