Brassica Extracts Prevent Benzo(a)pyrene-Induced Transformation by Modulating Reactive Oxygen Species and Autophagy

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Cell Biology
• Nutritional Science

Background:

• Brassicaceae plants contain glucosinolates (GSLs), yielding isothiocyanates (ITC) and indoles with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
• Benzo(a)pyrene (B(a)P) is a carcinogen that induces reactive oxygen species (ROS) and DNA damage, contributing to cellular transformation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of broccoli sprout extract (BSE) and red cabbage aqueous extract (RCA) on B(a)P-induced cellular transformation in MCF10A cells.
• To determine if these extracts can mitigate B(a)P-induced proliferation, ROS production, and induce autophagy.

Main Methods:

• Utilized MCF10A cells, a non-tumorigenic breast cell line, as a model for cellular transformation.
• Treated cells with B(a)P, followed by treatment with BSE or RCA extracts.
• Assessed cellular proliferation, ROS production, and autophagy induction.

Main Results:

• Both BSE and RCA extracts significantly reduced B(a)P-induced cellular proliferation and ROS production.
• RCA extract was found to induce autophagy in MCF10A cells.
• The extracts' efficacy is attributed to their high ITC and indole compound content.

Conclusions:

• BSE and RCA extracts show potential for preventing carcinogen-induced cellular transformation.
• RCA extract may serve as a method to induce autophagy, a known tumor suppressor pathway.