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Comparative potencies of nutraceuticals in chemically induced skin tumor prevention
Irene M Villaseñor1, Ma Karenina B Simon, Ainstein M A Villanueva
1Natural Products Research Laboratory, Institute of Chemistry, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City 1101, Philippines.
Abstract:
Four nutraceuticals, sugar beet roots, cucumber fruits, New Zealand spinach leaves, and turmeric rhizomes, were evaluated for their comparative effectiveness against dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)-initiated and croton oil-promoted skin tumors. Three different protocols were used. The most effective protocol (Protocol 2) is the topical application of the nutraceuticals 1 h before croton oil. There was a decrease in the percent skin tumor incidence, a decrease in multiplicity of skin tumors, and a later onset of skin tumors compared with the positive control for all the nutraceuticals tested, with turmeric being the most potent, as evidenced by 30% skin tumor incidence, 87.2% decrease in skin tumors, and a 5-wk delay in skin tumor formation compared with the positive control. Topical application of the nutraceuticals daily for 5 days before DMBA and 1 h before croton oil (Protocol 1) and immediately after croton oil (Protocol 3) did not have an additional protective effect against skin tumors compared with Protocol 2. Kruskal-Wallis analysis of variance by ranks showed that Protocol 2 is the most effective, with the treatment groups belonging to different populations at the 0.05 level of significance compared with alpha = 0.20 for Protocols 1 and 3. Turmeric is the most potent nutraceutical, because the average number of tumors formed after application of tumeric is statistically different from the positive control at alpha = 0.01.
Insights
Turmeric and other nutraceuticals show protective effects against skin tumors when applied before irritants. Turmeric (Curcuma longa) demonstrated the highest potency in reducing tumor incidence and delaying onset.
Area of Science:
- Chemoprevention
- Natural Products Research
Background:
- Skin tumors can be chemically induced using carcinogens like dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) and promoters like croton oil.
- Nutraceuticals, derived from food sources, are increasingly investigated for their potential health benefits, including anti-cancer properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the comparative effectiveness of four nutraceuticals against chemically induced skin tumors.
- To determine the optimal protocol for applying these nutraceuticals to achieve maximum chemoprotective effects.
Main Methods:
- Four nutraceuticals (sugar beet, cucumber, New Zealand spinach, turmeric) were tested using three different application protocols against DMBA-initiated and croton oil-promoted skin tumors.
- Statistical analysis using Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA was employed to assess the significance of the observed effects.
Main Results:
- Topical application of nutraceuticals 1 hour before croton oil (Protocol 2) was the most effective strategy, reducing tumor incidence, multiplicity, and delaying tumor onset.
- Turmeric rhizomes exhibited the highest potency, showing a 30% tumor incidence, an 87.2% decrease in tumors, and a 5-week delay in onset compared to the control.
- Protocols involving daily application before DMBA and croton oil, or immediately after croton oil, did not offer additional protective benefits over Protocol 2.
Conclusions:
- Nutraceuticals, particularly turmeric, possess significant chemopreventive properties against skin carcinogenesis.
- The timing of nutraceutical application is crucial for maximizing their protective effects, with pre-application before the promoter being most effective.