Abstract

Indole-3-carbinol (I3C) is a major dietary component produced in Brassica vegetables from glucosinolates (GLS) upon herbivores’ attack. The compound is gaining increasing interest due to its anticancer activity. However, reports about improving its level in plants or other sources are still rare. Unfortunately, I3C is unstable in acidic media and tends to polymerize rendering its extraction and detection challenging. This review presents a multifaceted overview of I3C regarding its natural occurrence, biosynthesis, isolation, and extraction procedure from dietary sources, and optimization for the best recovery yield. Further, an overview is presented on its metabolism and biotransformation inside the body to account for its health benefits and factors to ensure the best metabolic yield. Compile of the different analytical approaches for I3C analysis in dietary sources is presented for the first time, together with approaches for its detection and its metabolism in body fluids for proof of efficacy. Lastly, the chemopreventive effects of I3C and the underlying action mechanisms are summarized. Optimizing the yield and methods for the detection of I3C will assist for its incorporation as a nutraceutical or adjuvant in cancer treatment programs. Highlighting the complete biosynthetic pathway and factors involved in I3C production will aid for its future biotechnological production.

摘要

Indole-3-carbinol (I3C) 是芸苔属植物中产生的主要膳食成分食草动物攻击时来自芥子油苷 (GLS) 的蔬菜。该化合物因其抗癌活性而受到越来越多的关注。然而，关于提高其在植物或其他来源中的水平的报道仍然很少。不幸的是，I3C 在酸性介质中不稳定，并且容易聚合，使其提取和检测具有挑战性。本综述从多方面概述了 I3C，涉及其自然发生、生物合成、分离和从膳食来源提取程序，以及最佳回收率的优化。此外，概述了其在体内的新陈代谢和生物转化，以说明其健康益处和确保最佳代谢率的因素。首次汇总了膳食来源中 I3C 分析的不同分析方法，连同其检测方法及其在体液中的新陈代谢以证明功效。最后，总结了 I3C 的化学预防作用和潜在的作用机制。优化检测 I3C 的产量和方法将有助于将其作为营养品或辅助剂纳入癌症治疗计划。突出完整的生物合成途径和参与 I3C 生产的因素将有助于其未来的生物技术生产。