Cancer Chemoprevention by Dietary Polyphenols, Flavonoids, Terpenoids, and Saponins

Cancer chemoprevention invokes the adoption of natural or man-made agents for the inhibition, delay, or reversal of carcinogenesis before an invasion. It is predicted that roughly one-third of all cancer deaths might be prevented through proper dietary alteration. Chemopreventives should be defined by low toxicity in therapeutic drugs and the possibility of an oral administration. Several epidemiological studies and preclinical evidence indicate that various nutraceuticals and dietary supplements display chemopreventive properties, which is well supported by in vitro and animal studies. Diet derived compounds widely investigated for their chemopreventive activity mostly belong to a class of polyphenols, flavonoids, terpenoids, or saponins. A well-balanced diet is an excellent source of macronutrients, micronutrients, and phytochemicals and can diminish the risk of cancer as well as provide cancer preventive activity.