Skin Cancer Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Skin Cancer, including details on identification, causes, prevention, treatment.

Photochemoprevention of UVB-induced skin carcinogenesis in SKH-1 mice by brown algae polyphenols.

Hwang H, Chen T, Nines RG, Shin HC, Stoner GD

Chemoprevention and Support Program, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine and Public Health, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA.

Chronic exposure of the skin to ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation induces oxidative stress, which plays a crucial role in the induction of skin cancer. In this study, the effect of dietary feeding and topical application of brown algae polyphenols on UVB radiation-induced skin carcinogenesis in SKH-1 mice was investigated. SKH-1 hairless mice were randomly divided into 9 groups, including control, UVB control and treatment groups. They were treated orally (0.1% and 0.5% with AIN-76 diet, w/w) and topically (3 and 6 mg/0.2 ml of vehicle) with brown algae polyphenols and irradiated with UVB for 26 weeks. Dietary feeding (0.1% and 0.5%) of brown algae polyphenols significantly reduced tumor multiplicity (45% and 56%) and tumor volume (54% and 65%), and topical administration (3 and 6 mg) significantly decreased tumor multiplicity (60% and 46%) and tumor volume (66% and 57%), respectively, per tumor-bearing mouse. Dietary feeding and topical administration of the polyphenols also inhibited tumor incidence by 6% and 21%, respectively, but the results were not significant. Dietary and topical administration of the polyphenols markedly inhibited cyclooxygenase-2 activity and cell proliferation. These observations show that brown algae polyphenols have an antiphotocarcinogenic effect which may be associated with the prevention of UVB-induced oxidative stress, inflammation, and cell proliferation in the skin.

Published 1 November 2006 in Int J Cancer, 119(12): 2742-9.
Full-text of this article is available online (may require subscription).

© 2004-2008 Skin Cancer Research Today. All Rights Reserved.