Cutaneous photochemoprotection by green tea: A brief review

Alarmingly increasing incidences of skin cancer are being reported from man y countries where the majority of the population is Caucasian. According to projected estimates by the American Cancer Society, approximately 1.3 mill ion cases of basal-cell and squamous-cell cancers, grouped together as nonm elanoma skin cancers, are diagnosed annually in the USA alone. It is clear that excessive exposure of the skin to solar radiation, particularly the UV B component, is responsible for these cancers. It is also important to ment ion here that among all the cancers, skin cancer is believed to be one of t he most preventable and curable cancer types. While the surgical therapy fo r these skin cancers is highly effective, because of their recurrence and m any other reasons, these cancers cause significant morbidity to the patient s. One way to reduce the occurrence of these cancers is through chemopreven tion. For the chemoprevention of photodamage and thus for photocarcinogenes is, we will use the term 'photochemoprotection'. In recent years, the natur ally occurring compounds, especially the antioxidants, present in the com m on diet and beverages consumed by the human population have gained consider able attention as chemopreventive agents for potential human benefit. Many such agents have found a place in skin care products. Green tea, rich in po lyphenolic antioxidants, is gaining increasing attention as a supplement in skin care products. In this short review, we will discuss the chemoprevent ive potential of green tea polyphenols against skin cancer, especially phot ocarcinogenesis. We advocate that the use of skin care products supplemente d with agents such as green tea in conjunction with the use of sunscreens a nd educational efforts may be an effective strategy for reducing UV-induced photodamage and skin cancer in humans. Copyright (C) 2001 S. Karger AG, Ba sel.