Cancer chemoprevention by
phytochemicals may be one of the most feasible approaches for
cancer control.
Phytochemicals obtained from vegetables, fruits, spices, teas, herbs and medicinal plants, such as
terpenoids and other phenolic compounds, have been proven to suppress experimental
carcinogenesis in various organs in pre-clinical models. Recent studies have indicated that mechanisms underlying chemopreventive potential may be a combination of
antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immune-enhancing, and
hormone modulation effects, with modification of
drug metabolizing
enzymes, influence on cell cycle and cell differentiation, induction of apoptosis, suppression of proliferation and angiogenesis playing roles in the initiation and secondary modification stages of neoplastic development. Specific features of
prostate cancer, such as high prevalence and long latency period provides ample opportunities for chemopreventive agents to work at various stages of
disease progression. Finally, suitable populations with appropriate risk factors, including the presence of pre-malignant lesions and
genetic predispositions, need to be well characterized for future chemopreventive interventions. Here we review naturally occurring dietary
terpenoids as useful agents for
prostate cancer chemoprevention with reference to their classes and sources.