Future prospective and current status of antioxidants in premalignant and malignant lesions of oral cavity

In the late 19 th and early 20 th century, extensive study was devoted to the use of antioxidants in important industrial processes, such as the prevention of metal corrosion, vulcanization of rubber, and polymerization of fuels in the fouling of internal combustion engines. In recent years, there is an upsurge in the areas related to newer developments in prevention of disease, especially the role of free radicals and antioxidants. So it will be pertinent to examine the possible role of 'free radicals' in disease and 'antioxidants' in its prevention. Antioxidants are intimately involved in the prevention of cellular damage-the common pathway for cancer and a variety of diseases. The reversal or suppression of premalignant lesions is an important strategy against carcinogenesis for the prevention of cancer. Whether antioxidants can protect the human population from diseases like leukoplakia, lichen planus, carcinoma in situ or oral cancer and also from cancers of the upper aero digestive tract i.e. larynx, pharynx and esophagus and increase the life expectancy is still controversial. This article deals with the action of various chemopreventive agents along with brief review of literature about the outcome of effect of antioxidant on potentially premalignant and malignant lesions of oral mucosa.