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Caffeine is a naturally occurring alkaloid found in various plants. It acts as a stimulant, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and even an aid in pain management, and is found in several over-the-counter medications. This naturally derived bioactive compound is the best-known ingredient in coffee and other beverages, such as tea, soft drinks, and energy drinks, and is widely consumed worldwide. Caffeine is probably the most commonly ingested psychoactive substance in the world, found mainly in coffee, soft drinks, tea, cocoa and chocolate-like products, yerba matte leaves, guarana berries, and some pharmaceuticals. It is rapidly absorbed and distributed in all human tissues, reaching maximum plasma concentrations 30–120 min after oral intake.
Target Cancer | Study Type | Model | Caffeine Exposure | Result | Reference |
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Breast | In vitro | MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231cells | 1–10 mM | Caffeine reduced the cell viability in concentrations greater than 2.5 mM for MCF7 and for 5 and 10 mM for MDA-MB-231 cell lines. At the latter concentrations, caffeine induces apoptosis and necrosis in both cell lines. | [12] |
Breast | In vitro | MDA-MB-231, MCF7 and MCF10A cells | 0.000125 mM | After MDA-MB-231 and MCF7 cells’ treatment with caffeine, there was a change in metabolism towards respiratory-chain phosphorylation with low ratio of free to bound NADH. In combination with cisplatin, there was a decrease in viability and preference of cancer cells over normal breast cells. | [28] |
Breast and colon | In vitro | HCT116 and MCF7 cells | 0–60 mM | Apoptosis increased in both proliferative and senescent cells after treatment with caffeine at a concentration of 15 mM. | [11] |
Carcinoma squamous cells | In vitro | HN5 and KYSE30 cells | 0.5–70 mM | Caffeine at concentrations of 20, 50, and 70 mM presented an inhibitory effect and decreased the proliferation rate of both cell lines. | [29] |
Endometrial | In vitro | RL95-2, HEC-1-A and KLE cells | 0–40 mM | Therapeutic concentration of cisplatin decreased from 4.1 to 1.1 µM and from 163 to 6.6 µM, with caffeine concentrations of 1.1 and 5.3 mM, respectively. | [25] |
Glioblastoma multiforme | In vitro | Human GBM and U87-MG cells | 1 mM | Pre-treatment of cells with caffeine followed by combined treatment of temozolomide and caffeine significantly decreased cell viability compared to the other groups. | [24] |
Glioblastoma multiforme | In vitro | Human GBM, U87MG and T98G 101 cells | 0.5–10 mM | In both cell lines, caffeine at 2.5 mM was able to reduce cellular viability, which was more pronounced under hypoxia. | [14] |
Lung | In vitro | NCI-H23 and MLC15 cells | 0–0.5 mM | After of NCl-H23 cells’ treatment with 0.25 and 0.50 mM caffeine, the size of colonies decreased by 78.1% and 63.9%, respectively. In addition, caffeine induced cell arrest in the G0/G1 phase, reduced the S phase of the cell cycle, and suppressed cell invasion. | [30] |
Melanoma | In vitro | Normal human melanocytes COLO829 and C32 cells | 100–1000 mM | The results showed the ability of caffeine to reduce the viability of COLO829 and C32 cells by 5–35% and 1–16%, respectively. In addition, it also led to a decrease in thiol degradation and pro-apoptotic effects and did not affect normal melanocytes cells. | [15] |
Melanoma | In vitro | B16F10 cells | 0.001–0.04 mM | Cells’ pre-treatment with caffeine enhanced the cytotoxic effects induced by dacarbazine. In addition, caffeine increased oxidative stress in a dose-dependent manner. | [13] |
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma | In vitro | AsPC-1, BxPC-3, Capan-1, COLO-357, MiaPaCa-2, SU.86.86, PANC-1, and T3M4 pancreatic cancer cells | 0.1, 0.2 mM | Caffeine enhanced cell death induced by 5-fluorouracil and gemcitabine, and also decreased the IC50 of both chemotherapeutic agents. | [26] |
Prostate | In vitro | PC-3 cells | 0.5 mM | Caffeine affected cell viability in a dose-dependent manner. Cell migration and invasion ability was more affected by the combination of atorvastatin and caffeine than by caffeine alone. The same was observed for the formation of tumor spheres. | [31] |
Glioma | In vitro and in vivo | RT2 cells-induced glioma in male Fischer 344 inbred rat | 100 mg/kg/day orally (2 weeks) plus temozolomide given once daily (5 days) | The combination of caffeine with temozolomide inhibited tumor growth compared to the control group. | [23] |
Hepatocellular carcinoma | In vitro and in vivo | SMMC-7721 and Hep3 cell lines and Male BALB/c nude mice | 0–32 mM (in vitro) 20 mg/kg/day injected IP every other day for (2 weeks) | Caffeine decreased the viability of both cell lines and had a synergistic effect with 5-fluorouracil. In addition, tumor growth was suppressed, and tumor weight was reduced in mice treated with caffeine alone or in combination with 5-fluorouracil. | [32] |
Osteosarcoma, fibrosarcoma | In vitro and in vivo | HOS, HT1080 and LM8 cells and athymic nude mice | 0.5 mM (in vitro) 100 mg/kg injected IP on days 2 to 4 to the treatment (1 week). The treatment was performed two times. | The combination of cisplatin and caffeine decreased cell viability compared with cisplatin alone. In vivo, after implantation of LM8 and HT1080 cells, the combination of cisplatin + caffeine decreased tumor volume and weight. | [33] |
Pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcoma | In vitro and in vivo | RMS cells, Athymic nu/nu nude mice | 0.5 and 1 mM (in vitro) 100 mg/kg/day injected IP daily (3 weeks) | Caffeine showed the ability to enhance the antiproliferative effects of valproic acid. In vivo, the group treated with caffeine and valproic acid showed a reduction in tumor volume compared to the control group. This was also confirmed in the group treated with Salmonella typhimurium A1 receptor in combination with caffeine and valproic acid. | [34] |
Renal cell carcinoma | In silico, in vitro, and in vivo | ACHN and 786-O cells, and BALB/c nude mice | 0–0.016 mM intragastrically administered for 34 consecutive days | The molecular docking studies demonstrated that caffeine was able to bind to G6PDH at the NADP+ binding site, which is a biomarker and potential therapeutic target for renal cell carcinoma. In addition, caffeine was able to decrease the viability and proliferation of both cell lines and in the in vivo studies. | [19] |
Colorectal | In vivo and in silico | Swiss Webster mice | 50 mg/kg/day, intragastrically 5 times a week (10 weeks) | Mice treated with caffeine alone or in combination with chlorogenic acid decreased the expression of IL-6, IL-17, and TNF-α. | [35] |
Fibrosarcoma | In vivo | Adult albino mice | 1.030, 2.060 and 4.120 mM in drinking water administered daily (8 weeks) | In caffeine-treated mice, tumor incidence, size, and growth rate decreased with the increase in caffeine concentration. In addition, caffeine-treated mice had a higher percentage of cytotoxic T cells and higher TNF-α and IFN-γ levels. | [16] |
Fibrosarcoma | In vivo | Adult Syrian golden hamsters | 100 mg/kg/day, intragastrical administration; treatment started 3 days before inoculation with sarcoma cells and continued for 14 days | Administration of metformin and caffeine resulted in inhibition of fibrosarcoma growth. | [36] |
Melanoma | In vivo | Albino mice and C57BL/6J mice | 4.120 mM daily in drinking water (3 or 6 weeks) | In the carcinogen-induced tumor model, the groups treated with caffeine alone decreased the tumor growth rate from 5.3 mm2/day to 2.6 mm2/day. The combination with anti-PD1 led to a more pronounced decrease (0.9 mm2/day). | [37] |
Osteosarcoma | In vivo | Athymic nu/nu nude mice | 100 kg/kg/day, orally administered for 14 consecutive days | The osteosarcoma mice model (patient-derived orthotopic xenograft) treated with cisplatinum + oral recombinant methioninase + caffeine, showed the most marked decrease in comparison to the other groups. | [38] |
Synovial sarcoma | In vivo | Athymic nu/nu nude mice | 100 mg/kg/day, orally administered for 14 consecutive days | The combination of oral recombinant methioninase and caffeine reduced tumor volume. | [27] |
Target/Disease | Study Type | Model | Caffeine Exposure | Result | Reference |
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Anti-inflammatory effect and immunomodulation | In vitro | Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells | 1.16 mM | Caffeine reduced the levels of several cytokines (IL-8, MIP-1β, IL-6, IFN-γ, GM-CSF, TNF-α, IL-2, IL-4, MCP-1, and IL-10. It also inhibited STAT1 signaling. | [64] |
Bronchopulmonary dysplasia | In vitro | THP-1-derived macrophages | 100–800 μM | There was a decrease in NLRP3 inflammasome activation, ASC speck formation, and caspase 1 cleavage. In addition, IL-1β and IL-18 secretion decreased, as well as the phosphorylation of MAPK and NF-kB pathway members. | [65] |
Immunomodulation | In vitro | Monocytes and macrophage | 300–1000 µM | Caffeine suppressed TNF-α and Akt signaling in both LPS-activated macrophage subtypes, inhibited STAT/IL-10 signaling in macrophage colony-stimulating factor, and significantly increased the expression of A2a and downregulated mTOR phosphorylation in M-macrophages. | [66] |
Immunomodulation | In vitro | Mesenchymal stem cells and neutrophiles | 0.1–1 mM | Caffeine-treated mesenchymal stem cells produced fewer reactive oxygen species and increased phagocytosis of neutrophils co-cultured with mesenchymal stem cells. | [67] |
Immunomodulation | In vitro | Mesenchymal stem cells and neutrophiles | 0.1–1 mM | Caffeine treatment increased the viability of co-cultured neutrophils. | [68] |
Melanoma | In vitro and in silico | Mel1 and Mel3 cells | 1 and 2 mM | After caffeine treatment, there was a decrease in the levels of IL-1β, IP-10, macrophage inflammatory protein 1-α, and CCL4. On the other hand, the expression of regulated and normal T cells decreased in the Mel3 cell line. | [69] |
Autoimmune encephalomyelitis | In vitro and in vivo | Primary microglia and BV2 cells C57BL/6 mice were immunized to induce autoimmune encephalomyelitis | 2 mM (in vitro) 10, 20 and 30 mg/kg/day in drinking water (30 days) after immunization with MOG35–55 | Caffeine decreased clinical score, inflammatory cell infiltration degree of the demyelination, and microglia stimulation in mice. In addition, it increased LC3-II/LC3-I levels and decreased NLRP3 and P62 levels. | [50] |
Choroidal neovascularization | In vitro and in vivo | Laser photocoagulation C57BL/6j mice model | 200, 400 µM (in vitro); before laser photocoagulation (day 9): 20 mg/kg at day 0 and 10 mg/kg at day 1–4 and day 7 to 8; after laser photocoagulation: 10 mg/kg for 2 weeks (excluding weekends) | Significantly reduced the migration of retinal and choroidal endothelial cells (in vitro). Decreased choroidal neovascularization and inflammatory (mononuclear phagocytes) cells recruitment to the lesion area. | [52] |
Depression | In vitro and in vivo | CBA × C57BL/6 F1 mice and syngeneic splenocytes | Transplantation (IV injection) with 15 × 106 splenocytes previously treated with 100 µg of caffeine for 25 min | Immune cells treated with caffeine and transplanted into depressive-like mice resulted in an increase in neuronal density and anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10 and IL-4) and a decrease in proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, INF-γ, and TNF-α). | [70] |
Infection | In vitro and in vivo | Peritoneal macrophages and Swiss mice infected with L. Monocytogenes | 0.0257–25.7 μM (in vitro) 0.05, 0.5, 5 mg/Kg of caffeine IV injected 30 min after mice infection |
In mice, the leucocyte infiltration in the peritoneal cavity decreased after caffeine treatment. In addition, mRNA expression of IL-1β, IL-6, and the enzyme inducible nitric oxide synthase were decreased, whereas IL-10 was increased. | [71] |
Immunological and metabolic anomalies in obesity | In vitro and in vivo | Male Sprague-Dawley rat, RAW 264.7 macrophage and HepG2 cells | 50, 100, 150 mΜ (in vitro) High-fat-diet (6 weeks) induced hepatic steatosis mice were treated with 20 mg/kg/day by oral gavage (6 weeks) | In caffeine-treated mice, the profiles of TNF−α, MCP-1, IL-6, intercellular adhesion molecule, and nitrite were suppressed. In addition, live white adipose tissue and muscle macrophages and their cytokine levels also decreased. | [72] |
Retinal inflammation | In vitro and in vivo |
Ischemia reperfusion (I/R) injury mice model | 1–100 µM (in vitro); 10 µL at 97.8 mM instilled 60 min before and after I/R reperfusion, twice a day for 72 h |
Caffeine reduced the secretion of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α and restored the integrity of retinal cell monolayer (in vitro). Instilled caffeine reduced IL-6 mRNA levels and maintained BDNF physiological levels in the retina. | [55] |
Rheumatoid arthritis | In vitro and in vivo | Mesenchymal stem cells and Wistar rats | 0–1 mM (in vitro); 14 days after rheumatoid arthritis induction, mice were injected IP with 2 × 106 cells previously treated with 0.5 mM caffeine for 48 h | Caffeine at a concentration of 0.5 mM promoted lower levels of cytokines, such as IFN-γ, IL-6, and IL-1β, and higher levels of IDO and TGF-β. In addition, cells treated with caffeine diminished the severity of rheumatoid arthritis in vivo and caused a decrease in serum levels of C-reactive protein, nitric oxide, myeloperoxidase, and TNF-α. | [51] |
Cognitive impairment | In vivo | BALB/c mice | 0.025, 0.05, 0.1 mg of caffeine intranasally administered (10 µL) 1 day before ischemia-induced cognitive impairment in mice, and the next 7 consecutive days | Caffeine improved the behavior outcomes of ischemic mice and reduced the expression of proinflammatory biomarkers (TNF-α, IL-6) and increased the levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10). | [73] |
Hepatic fibrosis—antioxidant and anti-inflammatory | In vivo | Hepatic fibrosis Sprague Dawley rats | 50 mg/kg/day orally administered (8 weeks) | Decreased fibrosis and necro-inflammation; decreased LPAR1, TGF-β1, CTGF, α-SMA, and LPAR1 expression; improved liver function. | [74] |
Hydrocephalus | In vivo | Kaolin-induced hydrocephalus mice neonates | 50 mg/kg/day of caffeine were administered to dams by gavage or water (21 days) and lactated the neonates | Administration of caffeine to dams reduced cell death and increased the neurons dendritic arborization in the sensorimotor cortex and striatum of the mice neonates and improved hydrocephalic deficits and behavioral development. | [75] |
Immunomodulation and anti-inflammatory effect | In vivo | Nile tilapia | Diet containing 5 and 8% w/w (21 days) | Caffeine supplemented diet prevented alterations caused by hypoxia, such as ATP hydrolysis and consequent accumulation in the extracellular environment. | [76] |
Inflammation and adenosinergic system in cerebellum | In vivo | Ethanol-induced inflammation in Wistar and UChB rats | 15.4 mM/day in 10% ethanol solution (55 days) | Caffeine reduced gene expression of A1 and A2a receptors and increased and reduced A1 and A2a protein levels, respectively, in the cerebellum. Caffeine also attenuated the inflammation, demonstrating a neuroprotective role. | [77] |
Neuroinflammation | In vivo | Sprague Dawley rats | 60 mg/kg/day administered orally by gavage (2 days) | Caffeine/modafinil increased the levels of anti-inflammatory (IL-4 and IL-10) and decreased proinflammatory (TNF-α, IL-1β) cytokines in the hippocampus. Treatment decreased microglial immunoreactivity and improved inflammatory response and anxious behavior. | [78] |
Neurotoxicity | In vivo | Tramadol-induced damage in cerebellum rat model | 37.5 mg/kg/day administered orally by gavage (21 days) | Caffeine upregulated autophagy-related genes and reduced the expression of inflammatory and apoptosis markers, demonstrating neuroprotective effects in the cerebellum. | [79] |
Neurotoxicity—antioxidant and anti-inflammatory | In vivo | Albino rats | 20 mg/kg/day IP injected (30 days) | Caffeine reduced oxidative stress and restored TNF-α levels in cerebral tissues. | [80] |
Oxygen-induced inflammatory lung injury | In vivo | Neonatal rats | 10 mg/kg IP injected every 48h (15 days) | Under hyperoxia, caffeine decreased pro-inflammatory mediators (TNF-α, IL-1α, IL-1β, IFN-γ) and NF-kB, and decreased infiltrating cells in the lung. Opposite effects were observed in normoxiaconditions. | [63] |
Dental pain | Clinical Trial | Patients with acute postoperative dental pain | 100 mg (single dose) | Caffeine improved the effect of ibuprofen in the treatment of moderate postoperative dental pain. | [81] |