Role of vitamin E in prevention of oral cancer
Vitamin-E is the collective term for a family of chemical substances that are structurally related to alpha-tocopherol. Vitamin E occurs naturally in eight different forms: four tocopherols, alpha (α)-, beta (β)-, gamma (γ) - and delta (δ) tocopherol and four tocotrienols, alpha-, beta-, gamma- and delta-tocotrienol. All of these forms consist of a chromanol ring with a long aliphatic side chain, bound to the chromanol ring at the second position. [2].Vitamin-E exhibit antioxidant properties by acting as a lipid-soluble free radical scavenger in cell membranes. Thus, Vitamin-E may involve in both initiation and promotion stages. Among the other potentially anticarcinogenic effects of Vitamin E are its ability to inhibit formation of the carcinogenic chemical nitrosamine from nitrites in some foods, and its ability to promote immune system function
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Oral cancer is one of the major global threads to public health. The development of oral cancer is tobacco related mainly. Vitamin-E can inhibit reaction of the tobacco specific nitrosamine which undergoes specific activation, detoxification process. Dietary substitute such as vitamin-E can prevent oral cancer at a very early stage that is in premalignant lesions, in premalignant conditions. Main action of vitamin E includes increase immunity, controls free radicals mediated cell disturbances, maintains membrane integrity, inhibit cancer cell growth, cytotoxicity. Many past studies suggest the role of antioxidant (vitaminE) in treatment of oral mucosal lesions particularly includes oral leukoplakia, oral lichen planus, oral submucous fibrosis and oral cancer. Vitamin-E as an antioxidant helps in prevention and slow the growth of Head and Neck cancer, improve the effects of cancer chemotherapy and reduce the side effects from both chemotherapy and radiation therapy for cancer patients. As prevention modality use of Vitamin-E may be beneficial for human beings
