The Role of Glucosinolate Hydrolysis Products from Brassica Vegetable Consumption in Inducing Antioxidant Activity and Reducing Cancer Incidence

Abstract

The bioactivity of glucosinolates (GSs), and more specifically their hydrolysis products (GSHPs), has been well documented. These secondary metabolites evolved in the order Brassicales as plant defense compounds with proven ability to deter or impede the growth of several biotic challenges including insect infestation, fungal and bacterial infection, and competition from other plants. However, the bioactivity of GSHPs is not limited to activity that inhibits these kingdoms of life. Many of these compounds have been shown to have bioactivity in mammalian systems as well, with epidemiological links to cancer chemoprevention in humans supported by in vitro, in vivo, and small clinical studies. Although other chemopreventive mechanisms have been identified, the primary mechanism believed to be responsible for the observed chemoprevention from GSHPs is the induction of antioxidant enzymes, such as NAD(P)H quinone reductase (NQO1), heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1), glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit (GCLC), and glutathione S transferases (GSTs), through the Keap1-Nrf2-ARE signaling pathway. Induction of this pathway is generally associated with aliphatic isothiocyanate GSHPs, although some indole-derived GSHPs have also been associated with induction of one or more of these enzymes.

The Glucosinolates: A Sulphur Glucoside Family of Mustard Anti-Tumour and Antimicrobial Phytochemicals of Potential Therapeutic Application

“…Plants produce a myriad of phytochemicals and many of these have valuable nutritive, medicinal and health promoting properties [1][2][3] (Tables 1-3). Anecdotal evidence often points to these beneficial properties however in this report we will concentrate on two members of the glucosinolates (Figure 1), Glucoraphanin and Sinigrin, with a very extensive scientific and nutritional literature illustrating their potential therapeutic applications [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12] (Table 2).…”

Molecular Mechanisms of the Anti-Cancer Effects of Isothiocyanates from Cruciferous Vegetables in Bladder Cancer

“…However, we would be remiss if we do not mention that other cancer-related factors and signaling molecules affect the biological activities and anti-cancer effects of ITCs in malignancies. These include direct/indirect interactions with Nrf2 and NF-κB, the Nrf2-Kelch-like ECH-associated protein (Keap) 1-antioxidant response element (ARE) signaling pathway, and antioxidant enzymes, such as NAD(P)H quinone reductase (NQO1) and glutathione S transferases (GSTs), through the Nrf2-Keap1-ARE signaling pathway are closely associated with ITC-induced bioactivity [139][140][141]. We would like to emphasize that further basic research is essential for uncovering the utility and limitations of ITCs in cancer treatment, including BC.…”

The Glucosinolates, A Sulphur Glucoside Family of Mustard Phytochemicals With Diverse Biomedical Application

“…Nrf2 is a nuclear receptor and transcription factor which is a master regulator of genes in many diseases and has a central regulatory role in the human diseaseome [80]. Nrf2 activation leads to a co-ordinated antioxidant and anti-inflammatory response in many disease states including many forms of cancer [6]. The Nrf2 gene encodes Nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2.…”

“…Plants produce a myriad of phytochemicals and many of these have valuable nutritive, medicinal and health promoting properties [1][2][3]. Anecdotal evidence often points to these beneficial properties however in this report we will concentrate on one family of molecules, the glucosinolates, a family of Sulphur containing glucosides with a very extensive scientific and nutritional literature [1] which documents their properties as a nutritive supplement and as medicinal compounds which are of potential application in a number of therapeutic areas in biomedicine [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12].…”