Isothiocyanates: A Chemical Class of Potential Nutraceuticals

摘要

Isothiocyanates comprise the most promising class of chemopreventive phytochemicals. They are encounteredat substantial amounts in cruciferous vegetables where they exist in the form of glucosinolates. Epidemiologicalstudies have linked consumption of isothiocyanates to low cancer incidence at a number of sites. Furthermore, laboratorystudies in animal models of cancer have established that various isothiocyanates can effectively antagonise thecarcinogenicity of chemicals. A principal mechanism of action of these chemicals is to modulate the metabolismof chemical carcinogens so as to favour their metabolic detoxification. In this mini review we discuss the ability ofisothiocyanates to influence carcinogen-metabolising enzyme systems, such as cytochromes P450 and conjugationsystems, at dietary levels of exposure.