Carotenoids in cancer chemoprevention.
Various natural carotenoids, besides beta-carotene, were proven to have anticarcinogenic activity, and some of them showed more potent activity than beta-carotene. Thus, these carotenoids (alpha-carotene, lutein, zeaxanthin, lycopene, beta-cryptoxanthin, fucoxanthin, astaxanthin, capsanthin, crocetin and phytoene), as well as beta-carotene, may be useful for cancer prevention. In the case of phytoene, the concept of 'bio-chemoprevention', which means biotechnology-assisted method for cancerchemoprevention, may be applicable. In fact, establishment of mammalian cells producing phytoene was succeeded by the introduction of crtB gene, which encodes phytoene synthase, and these cells were proven to acquire the resistance against carcinogenesis. Antioxidative phytoene-containing animal foods may be classified as a novel type of functional food, which has the preventive activity against carcinogenesis, as well as the ability to reduce the accumulation of oxidative damages, which are hazardous for human health.
Nishino
Hoyoku
H
Department of Biochemistry, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kawaramachi-Hirokoji, Kamigyoku, Kyoto, Japan. hnishno@basic.kpu-m.ac.jp
Murakosh
Michiaki
M
Ii
Tsunehiro
T
Takemura
Manabu
M
Kuchide
Masashi
M
Kanazawa
Motohiro
M
Mou
Xiao Yang
XY
Wada
Saeri
S
Masuda
Mitsuharu
M
Ohsaka
Yasuhito
Y
Yogosawa
Shingo
S
Satomi
Yoshiko
Y
Jinno
Kenji
K
D000818:Animals; D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control*
D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D002338:Carotenoids