Phytochemicals from cruciferous vegetables, epigenetics, and prostate cancer prevention.

Abstract

Epidemiological evidence has demonstrated a reduced risk of prostate cancer associated with cruciferous vegetable intake. Follow-up studies have attributed this protective activity to the metabolic products of glucosinolates, a class of secondary metabolites produced by crucifers. The metabolic products of glucoraphanin and glucobrassicin, sulforaphane, and indole-3-carbinol respectively, have been the subject of intense investigation by cancer researchers. Sulforaphane and indole-3-carbinol inhibit prostate cancer by both blocking initiation and suppressing prostate cancer progression in vitro and in vivo. Research has largely focused on the anti-initiation and cytoprotective effects of sulforaphane and indole-3-carbinol through induction of phases I and II detoxification pathways. With regards to suppressive activity, research has focused on the ability of sulforaphane and indole-3-carbinol to antagonize cell signaling pathways known to be dysregulated in prostate cancer. Recent investigations have characterized the ability of sulforaphane and indole-3-carbinol derivatives to modulate the activity of enzymes controlling the epigenetic status of prostate cancer cells. In this review, we will summarize the well-established, "classic" non-epigenetic targets of sulforaphane and indole-3-carbinol, and highlight more recent evidence supporting these phytochemicals as epigenetic modulators for prostate cancer chemoprevention.

• Authors: Gregory W Watson, Laura M Beaver, David E Williams, Roderick H Dashwood, Emily Ho
• Journal: The AAPS journal (AAPS J) Vol. 15 Issue 4 Pg. 951-61 (Oct 2013) ISSN: 1550-7416 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 23800833 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Review)

Chemical References

• Phytochemicals

Topics

• Animals
• Apoptosis (drug effects, physiology)
• Epigenesis, Genetic (drug effects, physiology)
• Humans
• Male
• Phytochemicals (administration & dosage, chemistry, isolation & purification)
• Prostatic Neoplasms (genetics, pathology, prevention & control)
• Signal Transduction (drug effects, physiology)
• Vegetables