Phytochemicals in Skin Cancer Prevention and Treatment: An Updated Review.

Chau Yee Ng, Hsi Yen, Hui-Yi Hsiao, Shih-Chi Su

Journal: International journal of molecular sciences 2018;19(4):941

PMID: 29565284

Plain Language Summary

This 2018 review discusses the anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative, and anti-angiogenic effects of phytochemicals for the management of skin cancer. Melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers are caused by cellular DNA damage, and as the skin is the body’s largest organ, it is most exposed to environmental stimulus. There are several promising phytochemicals in cancer chemoprevention including Epigallocatechin-3-gallate, resveratrol, curcumin, proanthocyanidins, silymarin, apigenin, capsaicin, genistein, indole-3-carbinol, and luteolin. Additionally, Gingerol has been applied topically to improve chemical stability in the skin. Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester (CAPE) is derived from bee propolis was shown to inhibit skin papilloma in animal studies. Capsaicin from red chillies induced apoptosis (cell death) in melanoma cells. Curcumin has been shown to modify numerous inflammatory markers including C-reactive protein and COX-2 whilst topically can promote remarkable symptomatic relief and reduce external cancer lesion size. Caffeic Acid exerts a protective effect towards skin cancer migration and invasion. EGCG has been shown to sensitize melanoma cells to inhibit growth, promote cell death and decrease cell proliferation. Genistein from soy has been shown to exert anti-angiogenesis properties, reduce tumour proliferation and metastasis. Resveratrol has a synergistic effect with other phytochemicals to suppress tumours. What all the studies reviewed show is the potential for phytochemicals in cancer treatment. They are widely available, cost effective and highly tolerated. They appear to have anti-carcinogenic effects through regulation of multiple different signalling pathways which help alter the typical progression of skin cancer.

Abstract

Skin is the largest human organ, our protection against various environmental assaults and noxious agents. Accumulation of these stress events may lead to the formation of skin cancers, including both melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers. Although modern targeted therapies have ameliorated the management of cutaneous malignancies, a safer, more affordable, and more effective strategy for chemoprevention and treatment is clearly needed for the improvement of skin cancer care. Phytochemicals are biologically active compounds derived from plants and herbal products. These agents appear to be beneficial in the battle against cancer as they exert anti-carcinogenic effects and are widely available, highly tolerated, and cost-effective. Evidence has indicated that the anti-carcinogenic properties of phytochemicals are due to their anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative, and anti-angiogenic effects. In this review, we discuss the preventive potential, therapeutic effects, bioavailability, and structure-activity relationship of these selected phytochemicals for the management of skin cancers. The knowledge compiled here will provide clues for future investigations on novel oncostatic phytochemicals and additional anti-skin cancer mechanisms.

Address: Department of Dermatology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taipei, and Keelung 105, Taiwan. [email protected].; Drug Hypersensitivity Clinical and Research Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taipei, and Keelung 105, Taiwan. [email protected].; School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan. [email protected].; Graduate Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan. [email protected].; Department of Dermatology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taipei, and Keelung 105, Taiwan. [email protected].; Drug Hypersensitivity Clinical and Research Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taipei, and Keelung 105, Taiwan. [email protected].; School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan. [email protected].; Center for Tissue Engineering, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan. [email protected].; Department of Dermatology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taipei, and Keelung 105, Taiwan. [email protected].; Drug Hypersensitivity Clinical and Research Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taipei, and Keelung 105, Taiwan. [email protected].; Whole-Genome Research Core Laboratory of Human Diseases, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung 204, Taiwan. [email protected].

DOI: 10.3390/ijms19040941