A New Item for Protection Against Cancer: Squalene

Abstract

Epidemiological studies in Mediterranean populations show that the olive oil consumption causes a reduction in cancer risk. It is considered that high content of the squalene in the olive oil is one of the most important factors in reducing the risk of cancer. Squalene, a precursor in the synthesis of cholesterol is a natural component of terpenoids family. Both in animals and in vitro studies, squalene’s anticancer, antioxidant, drug carrier, detoxification features have been reported. In recent years it is shown that the main therapeutic use of squalene is an adjuvant therapy in various cancers. Squalene might reduce the intracellular oxidative stress acting as a reactive oxygen species scavenging agent and it serves as a highly effective antioxidant. It also may protect the cell from lipid peroxidation by eliminating the carcinogenic singlet oxygen species. Experimental studies report that squalene can be used as promoters in the process of treatment of various cancers, protective effect was observed when administered before and/or during the treatment of cancer.