Interní Med. 2012; 14(5): 224-226

The role of phytochemical substances in the prevention and treatment of tumors

doc.Ing.Zdeněk Zloch, CSc., MUDr.Pavel Sedláček

Ústav hygieny a preventivní medicíny, Lékařská fakulta UK, Plzeň

Since time immemorial, the folk medicine tries to cure diseases including tumors using various parts of plants. Numerous epidemiological

studies have shown that there is a statistically significant association between the frequency of consumption of foods of plant origin

and incidence of cancer. In an effort to determine the cause of their favourable effect, many natural substances have been isolated from

plants and their potential effects on different stages of carcinogenesis has been tested. Indeed, many from these substances hinder

or stop, in vitro, tumor development. The molecular mechanisms of these interactions have been elucidated. Nowadays, a lot of these

chemoprotective natural substances has been applied as means of primary and secondary prevention of tumors but not as remedies

for cancer.

Keywords: phytochemicals, cancer, chemopreventive substance

Published: May 14, 2012  Show citation