Table 1.

Potential mechanisms of actions of dietary phytochemicals for cancer prevention

Antioxidant activity

Scavenge free radicals and oxidants

Reduce oxidative stress

Inhibit nitrosation and nitration

Prevent DNA binding and damage

Regulation of DNA damage repair

Induction of cell differentiation

Inhibition of cell proliferation

Induction of cell-cycle arrest

Inhibition of oncogene expression

Induction of tumor suppress gene expression

Induction of apoptosis

Regulation of signal transduction pathways

Enzyme induction and enhancing detoxification

Phase II enzyme

Glutathione peroxidase

Catalase

Superoxide dismutase

Enzyme inhibition

Cyclooxygenase-2

Inducible nitric oxide synthase

Xanthine oxide

Phase I enzyme (block activation of carcinogens)

Anti-inflammation

Enhancement of immune function and surveillance

Antiangiogenesis

Inhibition of cell adhesion and invasion

Regulation of steroid hormone metabolism

Regulation of estrogen metabolism

Antibacterial and antiviral effects

Adapted from Reference 2 with permission.