Indole-3-carbinol (I3C) is a bioactive phytochemical abundant in cruciferous vegetables. One of its main in vivo metabolites is 3,3′-diindolylmethane (DIM), formed by the condensation of two molecules of I3C. Both I3C and DIM alter multiple signaling pathways and related molecules controlling diverse cellular events, including oxidation, inflammation, proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, angiogenesis, and immunity. There is a growing body of evidence from both in vitro and in vivo models that these compounds possess strong potential to prevent several forms of chronic disease such as inflammation, obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, hypertension, neurodegenerative diseases, and osteoporosis. This article reviews current knowledge of the occurrence of I3C in nature and foods, along with the beneficial effects of I3C and DIM concerning prevention and treatment of human chronic diseases, focusing on preclinical studies and their mechanisms of action at cellular and molecular levels.

中文翻译：

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吲哚-3-甲醇：发生、有益健康的特性和细胞/分子机制


吲哚-3-甲醇 （I3C） 是一种生物活性植物化学物质，在十字花科蔬菜中含量丰富。它的主要体内代谢物之一是 3,3′-二吲哚甲烷 （DIM），由两个 I3C 分子缩合形成。I3C 和 DIM 都会改变多个信号通路和相关分子，控制不同的细胞事件，包括氧化、炎症、增殖、分化、细胞凋亡、血管生成和免疫。来自体外和体内模型的越来越多的证据表明，这些化合物在预防多种形式的慢性疾病方面具有强大的潜力，例如炎症、肥胖、糖尿病、心血管疾病、癌症、高血压、神经退行性疾病和骨质疏松症。本文回顾了目前关于自然界和食物中 I3C 发生的知识，以及 I3C 和 DIM 对预防和治疗人类慢性病的有益影响，重点介绍临床前研究及其在细胞和分子水平的作用机制。