Review on Antioxidant Supplements use in Cancer Chemotherapy

Abstract

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are by-products of metabolism that increase inthe body during inflammation, smokingradiation exposure and certain drugs. ROS damages DNA and other molecules and is involved in cancer growth and advancement. ROS can be neutralized and killed by the Endogenous and nutritional antioxidants and also play a part in the prevention of cancer. Human observational studies indicate that high intakes of foods rich in antioxidant, particularly fruits, vegetables, and grains, are inversely related to cancer risk. Radiotherapy and certain chemotherapeutic agents target on ROS todestroy cancer cells. Although supplementation with antioxidants may assist safeguard normal cells from ROS harm and may have palliative impacts during cancer treatment, studies shows that cancer cells can also be protected from ROS harm, thus reducing the efficacy of therapy and patient survival. This paper reviews shows the use of antioxidant supplements and antioxidant-rich diets in effect of cancer risk and mortality. A large number of patients undergoing cancer treatment uses antioxidants but antioxidants alone cannot be used as chemotherapeutic agent but it is proved to improve the therapeutic outcome and improvement in patient complaints when used as an adjuvant in chemotherapy. Antioxidants plays a major role in maintains of immune system but their actions in targeted area of cancer cells are idiopathic so, further studies have to be done independently in each antioxidant to establish its safety and efficacy.