Cruciferous Vegetables as Antioxidative, Chemopreventive and Antineoplasic Functional Foods: Preclinical and Clinical Evidences of Sulforaphane Against Prostate Cancers

Abstract

Background: Sulforaphane (SF, 1-isothiocyanato-4-(methyl-sulfinyl)-butane) is found in broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower. Methods: we performed a critical review on the antioxidative, chemopreventive and antitumor effects of SF from cruciferous vegetables against prostate cancers and molecular pathways. For a complete and reliable review, primary and secondary resources were used, including original and review articles, books and government documents published until March 2018. Articles that are in duplicity and disconnected are not considered for review. SF is derived from glucoraphanin (4-methyl-sulfinyl-butyl-glucosinate), being one of the most commonly found isothiocyanates in vegetables from Brassica spp., especially in broccoli samples. In vitro studies indicate that SF induces apoptosis in a dependent or non-dependent method of androgens by transcription of tumor suppressor genes, oxidation response and higher expression of phase II enzymes in prostate cancer cells. Sulforaphane also decreases transcription of the nuclear factor kB and antiapoptotic proteins, expression of cyclin D2 and survivin and DNA synthesis, increases Nrf2 gene activity, interferes with genome compacting by inhibition of histone deacetylases and disrupts Hsp90 complexes, which cause cell cycle arrest, mitosis interruption, activation of caspases and mitochondria depolarization. Conclusion: SF and cruciferous vegetables play antioxidative and chemopreventive role, delaying or blocking in vivo carcinogenesis, causing biochemical and epigenetic changes, preventing, delaying, or reversing preneoplastic or advanced prostate lesions, and frequently activating tumor cell death by intrinsic methods of apoptosis. These outcomes encourage the consumption of Brassica specimens, which could be easily achieved by the incorporation of food and vegetables rich in cruciferous isothiocyanates in the diet.

Health Benefits of Plant-Derived Sulfur Compounds, Glucosinolates, and Organosulfur Compounds

“…Additionally, the involvement of SFN in the progression of prostate cancer has been studied. The data obtained showed that the inhibition of the deacetylation of histones is driven by SFN [ 70 , 71 ]. Not only preclinical studies but also studies in humans showed that, by taking SFN, a reduction in prostate cancer incidence and progression could be obtained [ 72 , 73 ].…”

Plant Bioactives and the Prevention of Prostate Cancer: Evidence from Human Studies

“…Alterations in the acetylation patterns of histones are a characteristic feature in PCa progression [34]. SFN has been shown to interfere with a key androgen receptor (AR) chaperone, Hsp90, by inhibition of histone deacetylase (HDAC) enzymes, which remove acetyl groups from histones, inhibiting HDAC activity within cancer cell lines [35]. SFN has been shown to directly attenuate the AR pathways present in the LNCaP PCa cell line via the inhibition of HDAC6 activity [36].…”

Country-Level Relationships of the Human Intake of N and P, Animal and Vegetable Food, and Alcoholic Beverages with Cancer and Life Expectancy

“…On the contrary, a higher intake of fresh, non-processed vegetables has been frequently associated with lower risks of some cancers such as breast [ 15 , 22 ] and colorectal [ 23 , 24 ] cancer and generally of cancers of the digestive tract [ 25 ]. Some in vitro studies have found that some compounds in some vegetables such as isothiocyanates (sulforaphane, glucoraphanin) and flavonoids (anthocyanidins, flavones, flavones) protect against the risk of carcinogenesis [ 23 , 26 , 27 ], consistent with these studies.…”