Botanical Agents for the Treatment of Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer

Abstract

Nonmelanoma skin cancers, including basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, are common neoplasms worldwide and are the most common cancers in the United States. Standard therapy for cutaneous neoplasms typically involves surgical removal. However, there is increasing interest in the use of topical alternatives for the prevention and treatment of nonmelanoma skin cancer, particularly superficial variants. Botanicals are compounds derived from herbs, spices, stems, roots, and other substances of plant origin and may be used in the form of dried or fresh plants, extracted plant material, or specific plant-derived chemicals. They possess multiple properties including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory properties and are, therefore, believed to be possible chemopreventive agents or substances that may suppress or reverse the process of carcinogenesis. Here, we provide a review of botanical agents studied for the treatment and prevention of nonmelanoma skin cancers.

Mechanisms of Photoaging and Cutaneous Photocarcinogenesis, and Photoprotective Strategies with Phytochemicals

“…Incident UV radiation is the predominant cause of the oxidative stress in the skin and the histological differences between UV radiation exposed and non-exposed skin areas. The whole array of changes caused by UV radiation in exposed skin is termed photo aging, whereas changes from other factors that contribute to aging, such as metabolic or hormonal, are termed “chronologic” or “intrinsic” aging [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ].…”

“…A myriad of extracts or isolated/purified substances from different parts of plants, including roots, leaves, flowers, seeds, etc. , have been traditionally used to prevent and treat skin cancer [ 2 ]. Although some of these substances have been used topically, its route of administration is mainly oral, as food supplements, concentrates and purified extracts.…”

Modulation of viability and apoptosis of UVB-exposed human keratinocyte HaCaT cells by aqueous methanol extract of laver (Porphyra yezoensis)

“…In the last decades, the beneficial effects of naturally occurring plant-derived substances have been explored for prevention and treatment of the diseases [9,10]. A variety of algal species have been reported to show antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anticancer effects [11].…”

Herbs for Low-Risk Skin Cancers and Precancers

“…These botanicals include Hypericum perforatum (St. John's Wort flowers), Camellia sinensis (tea leaves), Curcuma longa (turmeric root), and Vitis vinifera (grape seed). 23 Clinical trials and expanded research are needed in this area to follow up on the preliminary findings from the preclinical research.…”