Oral carcinogenesis remains a pressing public health concern, especially in developing countries where its incidence is significantly high. The present study aimed to review the effect of vitamins and antioxidants on oral carcinogenesis. Research efforts targeting this disease have identified significant therapeutic effects associated with the use of certain micronutrients and antioxidants. For instance, experimental models demonstrated that the routine application of beta-carotene topically was effective in reducing the onset of oral pouch carcinoma induced by DMBA (7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene) in hamsters. Additional findings highlighted the therapeutic value of 13-CIS-retinoic acid, a derivative of vitamin A, in the management of oral leukoplakia, underscoring its relevance in reversing pre-malignant lesions. A combination therapy involving ascorbic acid, glutathione, α-tocopherol, and β-carotene demonstrated that both α-tocopherol and β-carotene could act synergistically to suppress oral tumor progression. In addition, studies involving topical vitamin E showed a significant postponement in tumorigenesis when compared to control subjects. The collective experimental data affirm that retinoids, carotenoids, and tocopherols possess anti-neoplastic properties relevant to oral precancerous and cancerous lesions. The potential for synergistic enhancement of anticancer efficacy has also been observed when combining alpha-tocopherol and beta-carotene, as well as with known alkylating agents such as cyclophosphamide and melphalan. Collectively, these studies confirm that antioxidant micronutrients such as beta-carotene not only deter the development of oral carcinogenesis but also support the regression of oral leukoplakia, reinforcing their potential role in preventive and therapeutic strategies.
