Laboratory and clinical studies of cancer chemoprevention by antioxidants in berries.
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are a major cause of cellular injury in an increasing number of diseases, including cancer. Most ROS are created in the cell through normal cellular metabolism. They can be produced by environmental insults such as ultraviolet light and toxic chemicals, as well as by the inflammatory process. Interception of ROS or limiting their cellular effects is a major role of antioxidants. Due to their content of phenolic and flavonoid compounds, berries exhibit high antioxidant potential, exceeding that of many other foodstuffs. Through their ability to scavenge ROS and reduce oxidative DNA damage, stimulate antioxidant enzymes, inhibit carcinogen-induced DNA adduct formation and enhance DNA repair, berry compounds have been shown to inhibit mutagenesis and cancer initiation. Berry constituents also influence cellular processes associated with cancer progression including signaling pathways associated with cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis and angiogenesis. This review article summarizes laboratory and human studies, demonstrating the protective effects of berries and berry constituents on oxidative and other cellular processes leading to cancer development.
Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, The Ohio StateUniversity, Columbus, OH 43210, USA. gary.stoner@osumc.edu
Gary David
GD
Stoner
Li-Shu
LS
Wang
Bruce Cordell
BC
Casto
D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D005638:Fruit / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction
D000975:Antioxidants; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species