Current understanding and future directions of cruciferous vegetables and their phytochemicals to combat neurological diseases.

Neurological disorders incidences are increasing drastically due to complex pathophysiology, and the nonavailability of disease-modifying agents. Several attempts have been made to identify new potential chemicals to combat these neurological abnormalities. At present, complete abolishment of neurological diseases is not attainable except for symptomatic relief. However, dietary recommendations to help brain development or improvement have increased over the years. In recent times, cruciferous vegetables and their phytochemicals have been identified from preclinical and clinical investigations as potential neuroprotective agents. The present review highlights the beneficial effects and molecular mechanisms of phytochemicals such as indole-3-carbinol, diindolylmethane, sulforaphane, kaempferol, selenium, lutein, zeaxanthin, and vitamins of cruciferous vegetables against neurological diseases including Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, stroke, Huntington's disease, autism spectra disorders, anxiety, depression, and pain. Most of these cruciferous phytochemicals protect the brain by eliciting antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic properties. Regular dietary intake of cruciferous vegetables may benefit the prevention and treatment of neurological diseases. The present review suggests that there is a lacuna in identifying the clinical efficacy of these phytochemicals. Therefore, high-quality future studies should firmly establish the efficacy of the above-mentioned cruciferous phytochemicals in clinical settings.

Indole-3 Carbinol and Diindolylmethane Mitigated ß-Amyloid-Induced Neurotoxicity and Acetylcholinesterase Enzyme Activity: In Silico, In Vitro, and Network Pharmacology Study.

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by beta-amyloid (Aß) deposition and increased acetylcholinesterase (AchE) enzyme activities. Indole 3 carbinol (I3C) and diindolylmethane (DIM) are reported to have neuroprotective activities against various neurological diseases, including ischemic stroke, Parkinson's disease, neonatal asphyxia, depression, stress, neuroinflammation, and excitotoxicity, except for AD. In the present study, we have investigated the anti-AD effects of I3C and DIM. Methods: Docking and molecular dynamic studies against AchE enzyme and network pharmacological studies were conducted for I3C and DIM. I3C and DIM's neuroprotective effects against self and AchE-induced Aß aggregation were investigated. The neuroprotective effects of I3C and DIM against Aß-induced neurotoxicity were assessed in SH-S5Y5 cells by observing cell viability and ROS. Results: Docking studies against AchE enzyme with I3C and DIM show binding efficiency of -7.0 and -10.3, respectively, and molecular dynamics studies revealed a better interaction and stability between I3C and AchE and DIM and AchE. Network pharmacological studies indicated that I3C and DIM interacted with several proteins involved in the pathophysiology of AD. Further, I3C and DIM significantly inhibited the AchE (IC50: I3C (18.98 µM) and DIM (11.84 µM)) and self-induced Aß aggregation. Both compounds enhanced the viability of SH-S5Y5 cells that are exposed to Aß and reduced ROS. Further, I3C and DIM show equipotential neuroprotection when compared to donepezil. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that both I3C and DIM show anti-AD effects by inhibiting the Aß induced neurotoxicity and AchE activities.