Phytochemicals in Hepatocellular Cancer Prevention

Abstract

Since the incidence of liver cancer is increasing in the world, it is valuable to develop an effective method for its prevention. Various phytochemicals have been shown to suppress liver carcinogenesis in experimental studies. Using these phytochemicals, a clinical trial was conducted. Combination of carotenoids and myo-inositol was found to prevent hepatocellular carcinoma development in patients with chronic viral hepatitis and cirrhosis.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This study was carried out in collaboration with research groups of Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine and other Universities, National Cancer Center Research Institute, National Shikoku Cancer Center, Fruit Tree Research Institute, and many companies. This work was supported in part by grants from Council for Advancement of Fruit Tree Science; ProBRAIN; Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries; and Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology, Japan.

Notes

^a Experiment 1. α- and β-carotene: 0.05% in drinking water, given during the entire experimental period. Experiment 2. Lycopene: 0.005% in drinking water, given during the entire experimental period. Experiment 3. Zeaxanthin: 0.005% in drinking water, given during the entire experimental period. Experiment 4. Myo-Inositol: 1% in drinking water, given during the entire experimental period. Experiment 5. Glycyrrhizin: 0.005% in drinking water, given during the entire experimental period.

^b P < 0.05, comparing with control group.

^a ∗P < 0.05, comparing with control group.

^a Data analysis at 2.5 yr of clinical intervention.

^b P = 0.05, comparing with control group.