A new article published in Antioxidants stated that human skin is continuously subjected to environmental stresses, as well as extrinsic and intrinsic noxious agents. Although skin adopts various molecular mechanisms to maintain homeostasis, excessive and repeated stresses can overwhelm these systems, leading to serious cutaneous damage—including both melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers.

The authors reported that phytochemicals present in the diet possess the desirable effects of protecting the skin from damaging free radicals as well as other benefits. Dietary phytochemicals appear to be effective in preventing skin cancer and are inexpensive, widely available and well-tolerated. Multiple in vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated the significant anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-angiogenic characteristics of dietary phytochemicals against skin malignancy.

This article elaborated that dietary phytochemicals affect multiple important cellular processes including cell cycle, angiogenesis and metastasis to control skin cancer progression. For instance, Resveratrol (RV) – found in a variety of botanical sources—such as blueberries, grape juice, European pine, Arachis hypogea and Reynoutria japonica—exhibits strong anticancer activity, acts as a ROS scavenger and significantly reduces ROS levels in human skin fibroblasts. Curcumin – found in Curcuma longa, possesses remarkable anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties and exhibits significant therapeutic effects in psoriasis and Crohn’s disease, as well as exhibits anticancer activity by interacting and attenuating multiple protein targets, for example against melanoma. In addition, phytonutrients present in grape seeds extracts have been found to be effective in reducing oxidative stress induced by UVB radiation.

Source: Antioxidants. 2020 Sep 25;9(10):E916. doi: 10.3390/antiox9100916.