Are isothiocyanates potential anti-cancer drugs?

Abstract

Isothiocyanates are naturally occurring small molecules that are formed from glucosinolate precursors of cruciferous vegetables. Many isothiocyanates, both natural and synthetic, display anticarcinogenic activity because they reduce activation of carcinogens and increase their detoxification. Recent studies show that they exhibit anti-tumor activity by affecting multiple pathways including apoptosis, MAPK signaling, oxidative stress, and cell cycle progression. This review summarizes the current knowledge on isothiocyanates and focuses on their role as potential anti-cancer agents.

Benzyl isothiocyanate induces protective autophagy in human lung cancer cells through an endoplasmic reticulum stress-mediated mechanism

“…Numerous studies have also reported that BITC inhibits many other types of cancer cell growth, such as breast cancer [11] , prostate cancer [12] , and glioma [20] . Although mechanistic studies have shown that the anticarcinogenic activity of BITC may be due to the induction of apoptosis or cell cycle arrest, increased oxidative stress, or interference with cell survival signaling pathways, the precise underlying mechanism is not fully understood [9] . The present study provides the first evidence of autophagy induction by BITC in human lung cancer cells.…”

“…Some isothiocyanates, such as allyl isothiocyanate (AITC), benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC), phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC) and sulforaphane (SFN), have been shown to have substantial chemopreventive activity against various human malignancies [7] . The mechanism of the isothiocyanate chemopreventive activity is thought to be associated with the inhibition of the metabolic activation of carcinogens by phase I enzymes (cytochrome P450 isozymes), and the increased excretion of carcinogens by inducing increased activities of phase II enzymes (quinone reductase and GSH S-trans ferases) [8,9] . Numerous studies have also demonstrated the anticancer effects of isothiocyanates in various cancer types, such as leukemia [10] , breast cancer [11] , prostate cancer [12] and lung cancer [13] .…”

“…Numerous studies have also demonstrated the anticancer effects of isothiocyanates in various cancer types, such as leukemia [10] , breast cancer [11] , prostate cancer [12] and lung cancer [13] . Isothiocyanates suppress tumor cell growth by causing oxidative stress, inducing apoptosis, causing cell cycle arrest, and inhibiting angiogenesis [9] . However, the mechanism underlying the growth inhibitory effect of isothiocyanates against cancer is not fully understood.…”

Nutritional and Medicinal Value of Papaya (Carica Papaya Linn.)

“…Pure compounds of these three groups have been extensively researched in vivo and in vitro studies on many types of cell lines for their potential effects in cancer treatment and prevention. These bioactive compounds act via multiple mechanisms such as cancer cell signalling, proliferation, apoptosis, migration, invasion, as well as angiogenesis and carcinogen elimination [51,52,53,54,55,56,57,58] to exhibit in vitro and in vivo anticancer activities.…”

Phenethyl Isothiocyanate, a Dual Activator of Transcription Factors NRF2 and HSF1

“…3.2.1.147), is physically separated from its substrate glucosinolates, yet may be present in the same cells and tissues 2. When plants containing glucosinolates are subjected to mechanical disruption, myrosinase comes into contact with the glucosinolates and, depending on substrate chemistry, pH, presence of Fe 2+ ions, and presence of countervailing enzymes such as epithiospecifier protein, converts them into either ITCs, thiocyanates, or nitriles 3. In animals, the conversion of dietary glucosinolates to ITCs is also carried out by the gastrointestinal microflora 4…”