Cancer chemoprevention by carotenoids

• Published in: Molecules 2012-03, Vol.17 (3), p.3202-3242
• Main Authors: Tanaka, Takuji, Shnimizu, Masahito, Moriwaki, Hisataka
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Anticarcinogenic Agents - chemistry; Anticarcinogenic Agents - pharmacokinetics; Anticarcinogenic Agents - pharmacology; Anticarcinogenic Agents - therapeutic use; Antioxidants - chemistry; Antioxidants - pharmacokinetics; Antioxidants - pharmacology; Antioxidants - therapeutic use; cancer chemoprevention; carotenoids; Carotenoids - chemistry; Carotenoids - pharmacokinetics; Carotenoids - pharmacology; Carotenoids - therapeutic use; Chemoprevention; Clinical Trials as Topic; Diet; Dietary Supplements; Fruit - chemistry; Humans; mechanisms; Neoplasms - prevention & control; Vegetables - chemistry; xanthophylls
• ISSN: 1420-3049; 1420-3049
• DOI: 10.3390/molecules17033202

Carotenoids are natural fat-soluble pigments that provide bright coloration to plants and animals. Dietary intake of carotenoids is inversely associated with the risk of a variety of cancers in different tissues. Preclinical studies have shown that some carotenoids have potent antitumor effects both in vitro and in vivo, suggesting potential preventive and/or therapeutic roles for the compounds. Since chemoprevention is one of the most important strategies in the control of cancer development, molecular mechanism-based cancer chemoprevention using carotenoids seems to be an attractive approach. Various carotenoids, such as β-carotene, a-carotene, lycopene, lutein, zeaxanthin, β-cryptoxanthin, fucoxanthin, canthaxanthin and astaxanthin, have been proven to have anti-carcinogenic activity in several tissues, although high doses of β-carotene failed to exhibit chemopreventive activity in clinical trials. In this review, cancer prevention using carotenoids are reviewed and the possible mechanisms of action are described.