In vitro chemopreventive potential of fucophlorethols from the brown alga Fucus vesiculosus L. by anti-oxidant activity and inhibition of selected cytochrome P450 enzymes

From Fucus vesiculosus three fucophlorethols with potential chemopreventive activities have been isolated. All three compounds were identified as potent radical scavengers, and may contribute to the prevention of carcinogenesis by inhibition of cytochrome P450 enzymes like CYP1A, involved in carcinogen activation, and aromatase, essential for estrogen biosynthesis.