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The characteristics of malignancy are cell growth and remodeling of the extracellular matrix for angiogenesis and metastasis. One of the major causes of skin cancer (melanoma and nonmelanoma) is the cellular accumulation reactive oxygen species (ROS), which outbalances the cellular antioxidant system, with intrinsic aging but more so with the exposure of skin to environmental pollutants and ultraviolet (UV) radiation. The ROS damage DNA, proteins, and lipids, and activate inflammatory cytokines that activate the signal transduction pathways of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), nuclear factor-kappa beta (NF-kB)/p65, and JAK/STAT (Signal Transduction and Activation of Transcription) that, in turn activate factors such as activator-1 (AP-1) transcription factor. The activation of these pathways results in the increased expression of matrixmetalloproteinases (MMPs), Transforming Growth Factor-β (TGF-β), and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF), which collectively remodel the extracellular matrix (ECM) for tumor growth, angiogenesis, and metastasis. Polyphenols are effective in anticarcinogenesis largely because of their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Polyphenols include the classes of flavonoids, anthocyanin, catechins, lignans, proanthocyanidins, tannins, and more; and the hydroxyl groups attached to their aromatic rings may be active in scavenging the free radicals. The effectiveness of polyphenols in preventing tumor growth, angiogenesis, and metastasis also lies in their ability to counteract/repair DNA damage, induce tumor suppressor genes, and inhibit the MAPK, NF-kB, and JAK/STAT pathways that induce the expression of MMPs, TGF-β, and VEGF. Polyphenols, and their combination, would be effective in the prevention of cancer or as supplements in the treatment of cancer. In addition, the effectiveness of polyphenols is improved in combination with nanobiomaterials such as chitosan, polymeric nanoparticles, nanoconjugates, liposomes, or a phage system.

Skin aging is intrinsic and among the main causes there is the exposure to solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which can also lead to skin cancer. The photo-aging or cancer mechanisms include inflammation, oxidative stress from reactive oxygen species (ROS), altered expression of genes, and direct or indirect damage to cellular molecules. The primary inflammatory mediators are interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin -6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and cycloxygenases (COX)/prostaglandins (PGs). Skin aging and cancer manifests as damage to the extracellular matrix (ECM) composed predominantly of collagen, elastin, and fibrillin. The cells responsible for ECM alterations include epidermal keratinocytes, dermal fibroblasts, and neutrophils. The remodeling of the ECM, primarily as the consequence of inflammation, in skin aging or cancer is from reduced synthesis and increased expression of matrixmetalloproteinases (MMPs). The MMPs degrade the extracellular matrix (ECM) and facilitate metastasis. The predominant classes of MMPs include collagenases (MMP-1, 3) and gelatinases (MMP-2, 9) that degrade the interstitial collagen and basement membrane. In addition, the cellular inhibitors of MMPs, tissue inhibitors of MMPs (TIMPs), and a primary regulator of extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition, transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), are lowered in skin aging and/or cancer. Polyphenols and flavonoids may be the solution to inflammation associated with skin aging and cancer. P. leucotomos (a tropical fern plant) extract is rich in polyphenols with properties to counteract skin aging mechanisms from its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties: it inhibits oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation, dermal mast cell infiltration, inflammatory cytokines, DNA damage, and UV induced tumors. The anti-inflammatory effects of xanthohumol, a flavanoid, include inhibition of COX/PGs and NF-kB transcription factor that is associated with pro-oxidation and inflammation. Further, xanthohumol inhibits nitric oxide production. In addition to the inhibition of inflammatory mediators, polyphenols and flavonoids may stimulate anti-inflammatory mediators such as TGF-β for skin health.

The characteristics of malignancy are cell growth and remodelling of the extracellular matrix for angiogenesis and metastasis. One of the major causes of skin cancer (melanoma and nonmelanoma) is the cellular accumulation reactive oxygen species (ROS), which outbalances the cellular antioxidant system, causing oxidative stress with intrinsic aging but more so with the exposure of skin to environmental pollutants and ultraviolet (UV) radiation. The ROS damage DNA, proteins, and lipids, and activate inflammatory cytokines that activate the signal transduction pathways of the mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK), nuclear factor-kappa beta (NF-κB)/p65, and JAK/STAT (Signal Transduction and Activation of Transcription), which in turn activate factors such as activator-1 (AP-1) transcription factor. The activation of these pathways results in the increased expression of matrixmetalloproteinases (MMPs), Transforming Growth Factor-β (TGF-β), and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF), which collectively remodel the extracellular matrix (ECM) for tumor growth, angiogenesis, and metastasis. Polyphenols are effective in anticarcinogenesis largely because of their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Polyphenols include the classes of flavonoids, anthocyanins, catechins, lignans, proanthocyanidins, tannins, and more; and the hydroxyl groups attached to their aromatic rings may be active in scavenging the free radicals. The effectiveness of polyphenols in preventing tumor growth, angiogenesis, and metastasis also lies in their ability to counteract/repair DNA damage, induce tumor suppressor genes, and inhibit the MAPK, NF-kB, and JAK/STAT pathways that induce the expression of MMPs, TGF-β, and VEGF. Polyphenols, and their combination, would be effective in the prevention of cancer or as supplements in the treatment of cancer.