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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Indole-3-Carbinol：发生情况、有益健康的特性和细胞/分子机制


Indole-3-carbinol (I3C) 是一种十字花科蔬菜中富含的生物活性植物化学物质。其主要体内代谢物之一是 3,3'-二吲哚基甲烷 (DIM)，由两个 I3C 分子缩合形成。 I3C 和 DIM 都会改变多种信号通路和控制多种细胞事件的相关分子，包括氧化、炎症、增殖、分化、细胞凋亡、血管生成和免疫。越来越多的体外和体内模型证据表明，这些化合物具有预防多种慢性疾病的强大潜力，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。本文回顾了目前对自然和食品中 I3C 发生情况的了解，以及 I3C 和 DIM 对预防和治疗人类慢性疾病的有益作用，重点关注临床前研究及其在细胞和分子水平上的作用机制。