Glucosinolates and Isothiocyanates: Cancer Preventive Effects

Abstract

The anticarcinogenic bioactivity of various isothiocyanates (ITCs) has been demonstrated in various animal models such as rats, mice, and hamsters, and in different target tissues such as lung, esophagus, and forestomach. A major chemopreventive mechanism of ITCs involves suppression of reactive metabolite generation and, therefore, a decrease in DNA adducts formation. Many in vitro studies have reported the effects of ITCs on cell cycle modulation and proapoptotic effects through a number of targets, at different points of the pathways. A comparative study in human subjects showed that the hydrolysis of glucosinolates and the absorption of ITCs are greater following ingestion of raw brassica with active plant myrosinase than after consumption of the cooked plant with denatured myrosinase. Apoptosis is considered a vital component of the cellular mechanisms responsible for the maintenance of homeostasis in multicellular organisms. Understanding the pathways of associated proteins provides an insight into the induction of apoptosis by anticancer agents.

Apoptotic Potential of Glucomoringin Isothiocyanate (GMG-ITC) Isolated from Moringa oleifera Lam Seeds on Human Prostate Cancer Cells (PC-3)

“…Glucosinolates, which are derived from isothiocyanates (ITC) such as benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC), allyl isothiocyanate (AITC), and phenylethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC), have been reported for their protective effects against cancer cells [ 8 ]. The ITCs showed cytotoxic effects towards breast, liver, and lung cancer via modulation of MEK/ERK, PI3K/AKT, and Nrf2 intrinsic and extrinsic apoptosis pathways [ 8 ]. However, there has been a lack of study on glucomoringin isothiocyanate (GMG-ITC) ( Figure 1 ) against prostate cancer cell lines to determine its cytotoxic effect.…”