Festschrift on the Occasion of the 60th Birthday of David R. Bickers
Editor: Hans F. Merk, Aachen

Paper

Chemoprevention of Skin Cancer through Natural Agents
Sanjay Gupta, Hasan Mukhtar

Department of Dermatology, Case Western Reserve University and The Research Institute of University Hospitals of Cleveland, Cleveland, Ohio, USA

Address of Corresponding Author

Skin Pharmacology and Applied Skin Physiology 2001;14:373-385 (DOI: 10.1159/000056371)

  Key Words

• Skin cancer
• Chemoprevention
• Natural agents
• Antioxidants
• Green tea

  Abstract

To reduce the occurrence of skin cancers, the use of sunscreens and wearing protective clothing while in the sun are emphasized. These are important strategies, but sadly these efforts are only partially effective. Thus, the development of novel strategies to reduce the occurrence of skin cancer is a highly desirable goal. One attractive approach is through chemoprevention which is the use of naturally occurring agents or synthetic compounds to prevent the occurrence and subsequent development of cancer. The ideal chemopreventive agent(s) for use for prevention of skin cancer must be available in its active form with none or minimal toxicity and a known mechanism of action. A wide range of synthetic and naturally occurring agents have been identified as a rich source of skin cancer chemopreventive agents. For a variety of reasons, there is a greater emphasis on the use of naturally occurring compounds for skin cancer chemoprevention, and many such agents have found a place in skin care products. This review focuses on the use of naturally occurring agents present in the diet and beverages consumed by humans for the chemoprevention of skin cancer.

Copyright © 2001 S. Karger AG, Basel

  Author Contacts

Hasan Mukhtar, PhD
Department of Dermatology, Case Western Reserve University
11100 Euclid Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44106 (USA)
Tel. +1 216 368 1127, Fax +1 216 368 0212, E-Mail hxm4@po.cwru.edu

  Article Information

Number of Print Pages : 13
Number of Figures : 0, Number of Tables : 0, Number of References : 91