Glucosinolates and their Important Biological and Anti Cancer Effects: A Review

Glucosinolates are sulfur-rich plant metabolites of the family of Brassicace and other fifteen families of dicotyledonous angiosperms including a large number of edible species. At least 130 different glucosinolates have been identified. Following tissue damage, glucosinolates undergo hydrolysis catalysed by the enzyme myrosinase to produce a complex array of products which include volatile isothiocyanates and several compounds with goitrogenic and anti cancer activities. Glucosinolates are considered potential source of sulfur for other metabolic processes under low-sulfur conditions, therefore the breakdown of glucosinolates will be increased under sulfur deficiency. However, the pathway for sulfur mobilization from glucosinolates has not been determined.Glucosinolates and their breakdown products have long been recognized for their fungicidal, bacteriocidal, nematocidal and allelopathic properties and have recently attracted intense research interest because of their cancer chemoprotective attributes. Glucosinolate derivatives stop cancer via destroying cancer cells, and they also suppress genes that create new blood vessels, which support tumor growth and spread. These organic compounds also reduce the carcinogenic effects of many environmental toxins by boosting the expression of detoxifying enzymes.