Chemopreventive potential of flavonoids in oral squamous cell carcinoma in human studies

Nutrients. 2013 Jul 8;5(7):2564-76. doi: 10.3390/nu5072564.

Abstract

Evidence available from nutritional epidemiology has indicated an inverse association between regular consumption of fruits and vegetables and the risk of developing certain types of cancer. In turn, preclinical studies have attributed the health-promoting effects of plant foods to some groups of phytochemicals, by virtue of their many biological activities. In this survey, we briefly examine the chemopreventive potential of flavonoids and flavonoid-rich foods in human oral carcinogenesis. Despite the paucity of data from clinical trials and epidemiological studies, in comparison to in vitro/in vivo investigations, a high level of evidence has been reported for epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and anthocyanins. These flavonoids, abundant in green tea and black raspberries, respectively, represent promising chemopreventive agents in human oral cancer.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Mucosal
  • Anticarcinogenic Agents / pharmacokinetics
  • Anticarcinogenic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Catechin / analogs & derivatives
  • Catechin / therapeutic use
  • Chemoprevention
  • Drug Delivery Systems
  • Flavonoids / pharmacokinetics
  • Flavonoids / therapeutic use*
  • Fruit / chemistry
  • Humans
  • Mouth Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Mouth Neoplasms / prevention & control*
  • Nanoparticles / chemistry
  • Polyphenols / therapeutic use
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Tea / chemistry

Substances

  • Anticarcinogenic Agents
  • Flavonoids
  • Polyphenols
  • Tea
  • Catechin
  • epigallocatechin gallate