The Role of Glucosinolates from Cruciferous Vegetables (Brassicaceae) in Gastrointestinal Cancers: From Prevention to Therapeutics

Abstract

The gastrointestinal (GI) tract is composed of rapidly renewing cells, which increase the likelihood of cancer. Colorectal cancer is one of the most frequently diagnosed GI cancers and currently stands in second place regarding cancer-related mortality. Unfortunately, the treatment of GI is limited, and few developments have occurred in the field over the years. With this in mind, new therapeutic strategies involving biologically active phytocompounds are being evaluated as anti-cancer agents. Vegetables such as broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, and radish, all belonging to the Brassicaceae family, are high in dietary fibre, minerals, vitamins, carotenoids, polyphenols, and glucosinolates. The latter compound is a secondary metabolite characteristic of this family and, when biologically active, has demonstrated anti-cancer properties. This article reviews the literature regarding the potential of Cruciferous vegetables in the prevention and/or treatment of GI cancers and the relevance of appropriate compound formulations for improving the stability and bioaccessibility of the major Cruciferous compounds, with a particular focus on glucosinolates.

Comparative Transcriptome Analysis of Purple and Green Non-Heading Chinese Cabbage and Function Analyses of BcTT8 Gene

“…Brassicaceous vegetables have been receiving scientific attention for many years because numerous studies reported that eating these vegetables would reduce the risk of some chronical diseases and kinds of cancer [ 46 , 47 ]. The main reason for that is that brassicaceous vegetables contain various phytonutrients such as the polyphenol, glucosinolates, carotenoid or terpenoid groups.…”

Cruciferous Vegetable Intake and Bulky DNA Damage within Non-Smokers and Former Smokers in the Gen-Air Study (EPIC Cohort)

“…The mean adduct level was corrected across experiments based on the recovery of the carcinogen-adducted DNA standards: one prepared in vitro by the reaction of B(a)P diolepoxide (BPDE, 3 H-labeled) with DNA according to a published method [20], while the other consisted of a DNA sample extracted i.p. from the hepatic tissue of four mice treated with 1.0 mg of [7, H]B(a)P for 24 h [21]. The level of B(a)P adducts in the livers of the B(a)P-treated experimental animals was also quantified as B(a)P-tetrols released from the hydrolysis of macromolecules and measured by GC-MS [21].…”

“…A randomized controlled trial examining the association between antioxidant vitamin supplementation and DNA damage has found a significant protective effect but only among women, and a cross-sectional investigation showed an inverse association of DNA damage with the plasma levels of certain micronutrients, such as retinol, α-tocopherol and γ-tocopherol [5]. Moreover, certain kinds of foods contain bioactive compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that can be used to develop prevention programs against chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, neurodegenerative disease and gastrointestinal cancer [6,7].…”

Cruciferous vegetables as a treasure of functional foods bioactive compounds: Targeting p53 family in gastrointestinal tract and associated cancers

“…Some studies have reported the anticarcinogenic activity of several metabolites found in cruciferous vegetables. For example, glucosinolates, a secondary metabolite mainly found in cruciferous plants, display activity in preventing the development and progression of gastrointestinal cancers as well as in treating these cancers ( 11 ). To date, the existence of more than 130 glucosinolates has been reported which can be classified into three major structural groups i.e., aliphatic, indole, and aromatic glucosinolates ( 12 ).…”