Antiproliferative effects of resveratrol and indole-3-carbinol in HPV-associated diseases prevention

The burden of persistent papillomavirus infection on public healthcare is not limited to cervical cancer (CC). At present, cervical cancer continues to be one of the most common types of cancer worldwide, although HPV also causes anogenital warts. As there is no HPV treatment available, nowadays researchers focus on the search for new therapeutic platforms, new agents for HPV-associated diseases relapse prevention after surgical treatment. Significant anticancer effects of resveratrol have been demonstrated in a variety of cancers, including breast cancer, skin cancer, lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, and stomach cancer. In CC cells, resveratrol stimulates apoptosis of cancer cells, increases expression of HPV E6 and E7, and the expression of p53 tumor suppressor protein. Protective effects on CC cells migration and invasion is achieved by inhibiting NF-κB transcription and AP-1 mediated MMP9 expression. Resveratrol demonstrates a whole range of anti-inflammatory effects, ranging from the suppression of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-17 expression and inflammatory mediator prostaglandin E2, to the suppression of the formation of ROS and NO. I3K has a proven antitumor efficacy based on the molecular mechanisms of pathological cell proliferation and tumor transformation in hormone- dependent tissues, including cervical epithelial cells. Resveratrol and I3K have a wide range of studied positive therapeutic effects that can significantly reduce the likelihood of development and progression of HPV-associated lesions.