Biological Functions of Some Key Bioactive Compounds of Grapes (Vitis vinifera L.) in the Prevention of Breast Cancer: A Narrative Review

Diet is an important environmental risk factor for breast cancer. Grapes are one of the most abundant fruits in the world; they are a valuable source of active metabolic compounds that control the proliferation and growth of breast cancer cells.

The present narrative review is based on Persian and English papers published between 1996 and 2022. The papers were retrieved via an internet search on PubMed, Google Scholar, Science Direct, and Scopus databases using the keywords “cancer,” “breast,” “bioactive metabolites,” “Vitis vinifera,” and “grapes.”

The findings of the investigations showed that the bioactive compounds of grapes, including resveratrol, terpenoids, oleanolic acid, catechins, proanthocyanidins, anthocyanins, anthocyanidins, carotenoids, and flavonols, have the capacity to reduce oxidative stress, inhibit DNA synthesis, stop the cell division cycle, induce apoptosis of cancer cells, interact with multiple signaling pathways involved in the creation or destruction of tumors. Because of these functions, these compounds are of specific interest in the prevention and treatment of breast cancer.

Antitumor activities of natural compounds found in grapes indicate their possible role in the treatment of breast cancer.