Carotenoids in cancer chemoprevention

Hoyoku Nishino, Michiaki Murakoshi, Tsunehiro Ii, Manabu Takemura, Masashi Kuchide, Motohiro Kanazawa, Xiao Yang Mou, Saeri Wada, Mitsuharu Masuda, Yasuhito Ohsaka, Shingo Yogosawa, Yoshiko Satomi, Kenji Jinno

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

199 Scopus citations

Abstract

Various natural carotenoids, besides β-carotene, were proven to have anticarcinogenic activity, and some of them showed more potent activity than β-carotene. Thus, these carotenoids (α-carotene, lutein, zeaxanthin, lycopene, β-cryptoxanthin, fucoxanthin, astaxanthin, capsanthin, crocetin and phytoene), as well as β-carotene, may be useful for cancer prevention. In the case of phytoene, the concept of 'bio-chemoprevention', which means biotechnology-assisted method for cancer chemoprevention, 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.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)257-264
Number of pages8
JournalCancer and Metastasis Reviews
Volume21
Issue number3-4
DOIs
StatePublished - 2002
Externally publishedYes

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Oncology
  • Cancer Research

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