Nutritional Approaches In The Prevention And Management Of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Review

Authors

  • Devasena, B
  • Tahseen Javed
  • Anitha, W
  • Geetha N B
  • Mahalakshmi

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.63682/jns.v14i32S.7485

Keywords:

Hepatocellular carcinoma, nutrition, antioxidants, functional foods, liver cancer, phytochemicals

Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality globally. Emerging evidence indicates that dietary interventions can play a significant role in both the prevention and management of HCC, particularly among high-risk populations. This review explores the impact of nutritional factors on HCC progression, focusing on the protective roles of antioxidants, polyphenols, and specific functional foods. High intake of fruits, vegetables, omega-3 fatty acids, and plant-derived compounds has been associated with anti-carcinogenic effects, while excessive consumption of red meat, sugar, and saturated fats may elevate HCC risk. Furthermore, selected juices, herbal extracts, and bioactive food combinations exhibit hepatoprotective and anti-tumor properties in both in vitro and in vivo studies. This comprehensive review underscores the potential of evidence-based dietary strategies in reducing liver cancer burden and improving the prognosis of HCC patients.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Metrics

Metrics Loading ...

References

E. S. George, S. Sood, A. Broughton et al., “The Association between Diet and Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Systematic Review,” Nutrients, vol. 13, 2021, p. 172, doi:10.3390/nu13010172

W. Shu, L. Liu, J. Jiang, Q. Yao, “Dietary Patterns and Hepatocellular Carcinoma Risk: A Systematic Review and Meta Analysis of Cohort and Case Control Studies,” Nutrition & Metabolism, Aug 2023.

A. Baharvash et al., “Analysis of Specific Food Groups and Liver Cancer Risk: Systematic Review & Meta Analysis,” Nutrition Journal, 2023.

A. Márquez et al., “The Influence of Diet and Its Components on the Risk of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Review,” Cancers (MDPI), vol. 16, no. 5, 2024, Art. 1030.

Kennedy, O. J., Roderick, P., Buchanan, R., Fallowfield, J. A., Hayes, P. C., & Parkes, J. (2017). Coffee, including caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee, and the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma: a systematic review and dose–response meta-analysis. BMJ open, 7(5), e013739.

Oyedepo, T. A., Ajayeoba, T. A., Babarinde, S. O., Morakinyo, A. E., &Oyetayo, B. O. (2015). Antioxidant and hepatoprotective potentials of lemon juice and sorghum ogi (lemon-ogi) mixture against paracetamol-induced liver damage in rats. health, 38.

G. Shetty et al., “Association between Dietary Inflammatory Index and HCC Risk in Cirrhosis,” Eur. J. Cancer Prev., 2024.

E. Gamal et al., “Assessment of the Nutritional Status of HCC Patients: Cross Sectional Study,” Egyptian Liver Journal, vol. 15, Art. 19, Jun 2 2025.

Liu, C. T., Chuang, P. T., Wu, C. Y., Weng, Y. M., Chen, W., & Tseng, C. Y. (2006). Antioxidative and in vitro hepatoprotective activity of Bupleurum kaoi leaf infusion. Phytotherapy Research: An International Journal Devoted to Pharmacological and Toxicological Evaluation of Natural Product Derivatives, 20(11), 1003-1008.

Perumal, A., AlSalhi, M. S., Kanakarajan, S., Devanesan, S., Selvaraj, R., & Tamizhazhagan, V. (2021). Phytochemical evaluation and anticancer activity of rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum) fruit endocarp extracts against human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG-2) cells. Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences, 28(3), 1816-1825.

A. C. Choudhary et al., “Emerging Antioxidants in Cancer Therapy: Clinical & Experimental Review,” ArXiv, 2020.

Abu Bakar, M. F., Ahmad, N. E., Suleiman, M., Rahmat, A., & Isha, A. (2015). Garcinia dulcis fruit extract induced cytotoxicity and apoptosis in HepG2 liver cancer cell line. BioMed Research International, 2015.

Arnault, I., Haffner, T., Siess, M. H., Vollmar, A., Kahane, R., & Auger, J. (2005). Analytical method for appreciation of garlic therapeutic potential and for validation of a new formulation. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis, 37(5), 963-970.

Ma, L., Wang, R., Nan, Y., Li, W., Wang, Q., & Jin, F. (2016). Phloretin exhibits an anticancer effect and enhances the anticancer ability of cisplatin on non-small cell lung cancer cell lines by regulating expression of apoptotic pathways and matrix metalloproteinases. International Journal of Oncology, 48(2), 843-853.

Lizcano, L. J., Siles, M., Trepiana, J., Hernández, M. L., Navarro, R., Ruiz-Larrea, M. B., & Ruiz-Sanz, J. I. (2015). Piper and Vismia species from Colombian Amazonia differentially affect cell proliferation of hepatocarcinoma cells. Nutrients, 7(1), 179-195.

Darvesh, A. S., &Bishayee, A. (2013). Chemopreventive and therapeutic potential of tea polyphenols in hepatocellular cancer. Nutrition and cancer, 65(3), 329-344.

Guo, M., Mao, B., Sadiq, F. A., Hao, Y., Cui, S., Yi, M., ... & Zhao, J. (2020). Effects of noni fruit and fermented noni juice against acute alcohol induced liver injury in mice. Journal of Functional Foods, 70, 103995.

Yantih, N., Harahap, Y., Sumaryono, W., Setiabudy, R., & Rahayu, L. (2017). Hepatoprotective activity of pineapple (Ananas comosus) juice on isoniazid-induced rats. Journal of Biological Sciences, 17(8), 388-393.

“Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Nature Rev. Disease Primers 2020,” Nature Rev. Dis. Prim., Apr 2020.

“Lifestyle & Pharmacologic Approaches to Prevent Metabolic Associated Liver Disease,” ScienceDirect, 2025.

“Zhang, J. W., Liu, Y., Cheng, J., Li, W., Ma, H., Liu, H. T., ... & Yang, L. (2007). Inhibition of human liver cytochrome P450 by star fruit juice. Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 10(4), 496-503.

Bekkouch, O., Dalli, M., Harnafi, M., Touiss, I., Mokhtari, I., Assri, S. E., ... & Amrani, S. (2022). Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe), Lemon (Citrus limon L.) Juices as Preventive Agents from Chronic Liver Damage Induced by CCl4: A Biochemical and Histological Study. Antioxidants, 11(2), 390.

Sugiura, M., Ohshima, M., Ogawa, K., & Yano, M. (2006). Chronic Administration of Satsuma Mandarin Fruit (Citrus unshiu M ARC.) Improves Oxidative Stress in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rat Liver. Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin, 29(3), 588-591.

P. Talamini et al., “Food groups and risk of hepatocellular carcinoma: A multicenter case-control study in Italy,” Int. J. Cancer, vol. 119, pp. 2916 2921, 2006.

“Green Tea for Cancer Prevention: Cochrane Review,” Cochrane Database Syst. Rev., 2020 .

Elzamzamy, F. M., &Elkewawy, H. E. Hepatoprotective effect of untreated fruit juice supplemented with moringa tea on CCl4-induced damage in rats.

González-Ponce, H. A., Martínez-Saldaña, M. C., Rincón-Sánchez, A. R., Sumaya-Martínez, M. T., Buist-Homan, M., Faber, K. N., ... & Jaramillo-Juárez, F. (2016). Hepatoprotective effect of Opuntia robusta and Opuntia streptacantha fruits against acetaminophen-induced acute liver damage. Nutrients, 8(10), 607.

G. Vilar Gomez et al., “Weight Loss Lifestyle Impact on NAFLD Biomarkers,” Gastroenterology, Aug 2015

Amin, A., Hamza, A. A., Bajbouj, K., Ashraf, S. S., & Daoud, S. (2011). Saffron: a potential candidate for a novel anticancer drug against hepatocellular carcinoma. Hepatology, 54(3), 857-867.

Arnault, I., Haffner, T., Siess, M. H., Vollmar, A., Kahane, R., & Auger, J. (2005). Analytical method for appreciation of garlic therapeutic potential and for validation of a new formulation. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis, 37(5), 963-970.

Iciek, M., Kwiecień, I., Chwatko, G., Sokołowska‐Jeżewicz, M., Kowalczyk‐Pachel, D., & Rokita, H. (2012). The effects of garlic‐derived sulfur compounds on cell proliferation, caspase 3 activity, thiol levels and anaerobic sulfur metabolism in human hepatoblastoma HepG2 cells. Cell biochemistry and function, 30(3), 198-204.

N. Freedman et al., “Association of meat and fat intake with liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma in the NIH‐AARP cohort,” J. Natl. Cancer Inst., vol. 102, pp. 1354 1365, 2010.

Huang, W. Y., Cai, Y. Z., & Zhang, Y. (2009). Natural phenolic compounds from medicinal herbs and dietary plants: potential use for cancer prevention. Nutrition and cancer, 62(1), 1-20.

Sacco, R., Conte, C., Marceglia, S., Mismas, V., Bresci, G., Romano, A., & Giacomelli, L. (2016). Beneficial and detrimental effects of natural dietary products on the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma, and their roles in its management. Hepatoma Research, 2, 53-61.

Downloads

Published

2025-06-19

How to Cite

1.
B D, Javed T, W A, N B G, Mahalakshmi M. Nutritional Approaches In The Prevention And Management Of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Review. J Neonatal Surg [Internet]. 2025Jun.19 [cited 2025Jul.19];14(32S):912-6. Available from: https://jneonatalsurg.com/index.php/jns/article/view/7485