[Non-nutritive biologically active plant components: glucosinolates, their sources and their nutritional...

Numerous epidemiological studies as well as experimental animal studies suggest that a high intake of cruciferous vegetables is associated with a reduced risk of various forms of cancer. This protective effect has been linked to the high glucosinolate content of these vegetables. Glucosinolate breakdown products, particularly isothiocyanates and nitriles have been shown to modulate carcinogen metabolising enzyme systems, induce cell cycle arrest or apoptosis. The anticancer potential of the different glucosinolate metabolites is diverse and their effect on the above mentioned cellular mechanisms is also affected by the model system employed. Results of in vivo studies with isolated glucosinolates or isothiocyanates compared to those with cruciferous vegetables demonstrate that the chemopreventive effect of cruciferous vegetables is due to combined effect of the different glucosinolate metabolites and the optimal combination of these compounds found in Cruciferae provide the beneficial health effects.