Chemical carcinogens are substances which induce malignant tumours, increase their incidence or decrease the time taken for tumour formation. Often, exposure to chemical carcinogens results in tissue specific patterns of tumorigenicity. The very same anatomical, biochemical and physiological specialisations which permit the kidney to perform its vital roles in maintaining tissue homeostasis may...

It is well established that most chemical carcinogens require met abolic activation before exerting their carcinogenic effects. The acti vated carcinogens are usually electrophilic agents and are highly reactive toward DNA molecules. DNA modifications, especially those on oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes, are generally major driving forces for cancer development. In theory, chemical carcino...

It is well established that most chemical carcinogens require met abolic activation before exerting their carcinogenic effects. The acti vated carcinogens are usually electrophilic agents and are highly reactive toward DNA molecules. DNA modifications, especially those on oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes, are generally major driving forces for cancer development. In theory, chemical carcino...

The issue of risk assessment for carcinogens that appear to act via nongenotoxic mechanisms or at the tumor promotion stage, respectively, is discussed in light of current information on biological mechanisms involved in carcinogenesis as well as interindividual variability in human response. Proposals to treat "nongenotoxic" carcinogens and tumor promoters as posing lower risks to humans are d...

Polyaromatic hydrocarbons, heterocyclic aromatic amines and dioxin-like compounds are environmental carcinogens shown to initiate cancer in a number of tissue types including prostate and breast. These environmental carcinogens elicit their effects through interacting with the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), a ligand activated transcription factor. Naturally occurring compounds found in fruits...

Chemical carcinogens are generally activated enzymatically to electrophiles that form covalently bound carcinogen-DNA adducts. Detoxifying enzymes are competing with the activating enzymes for these procarcinogenic chemical substrates. Wide person-to-person variations in these two types of enzymatic activities are found. Repair rates of DNA damage caused by carcinogens also vary among individua...

Carcinogens are involved in carcinogenesis, mutagenesis and genotoxicity. One of the best ways to minimize the detrimental effects of carcinogens is by the use of medicinal plants i.e., natural anticarcinogens. Naturally occurring anticarcinogenic principles present in medicinal plants, human diet have protective effects against carcinogens. These include flavonoids, phenolics, coumarins, carot...