VANILLIN: IS IT JUST AN AROMATIC OR A CURE FOR CANCER?

Abstract: Cancer is one of the most challenging diseases mankind has confronted, and it is listed as the second most common reason of death according to the World Health Organization. Its damage to global economy is valued trillions of dollars and it is increasing day by day. This literature review is aiming to reflect on vanillin's anticancer potential, a natural chemical being used in different industrial areas. Beside flavour, it is a powerful antioxidant and a strong antimutagenic. Oxidative stress and mutati-ons are two major reasons for carcinogenesis. Therefore, the cancer prevention and/or therapeutic potential of vanillin is being investigated. Many studies using different cell lines have noted that vanillin had positive effects on cancer. Keywords: Cancer, reactive oxygen species, oxidative stress, vanillin