Cancer modulation by glucosinolates: A review

Glucosinolates (GLS) are a group of plant thioglucosides present in plants of Cruciferae family. They are well known for their toxic effects (mainly a s goitrogens) in both man and animals at high doses. In contrast at subtoxi c doses, their hydrolytic and metabolic products act as chemoprotective age nts against chemically-induced carcinogens by blocking the initiation of tu mours in a variety of rodent tissues, viz, liver, colon, mammary gland, pan creas, etc. They exhibit their effect by inducing Phase I and Phase II enzy mes, inhibiting the enzyme activation, modifying the steroid hormone metabo lism and protecting against oxidative damages. Acid condensation products ( like DIM) are more effective than their parent compounds (like 13C). Antica rcinogenesis caused by GLS is reviewed here.