Cancer prevention by tocopherols and tea polyphenols

Tocopherols (vitamin E) and tea polyphenols have been reported to have cancer preventive activities. Large-scale human trials with high doses of alpha-tocopherol, however, have produced disappointing results. This review presents data showing that - and -tocopherols inhibit colon, lung, mammary and prostate carcinogenesis in animal models, whereas -tocopherol is ineffective in animal and human studies. Possible mechanisms of action are discussed. A broad cancer preventive activity of green tea polyphenols has been demonstrated in animal models, and many mechanisms have been proposed. The cancer preventive activity of green tea in humans, however, has not been conclusively demonstrated and remains to be further investigated.

► Green tea and tea polyphenols prevent cancer in animal models. ► Results on human cancer prevention by tea are inconsistent. ► Dietary tocopherols prevent cancer, but high doses of α-tocopherol do not. ► γ- and δ-tocopherols of prevent several types cancer in animal models.