Glucoraphanin Increases Intracellular Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) Levels and Stimulates Osteogenic Differentiation in Human Mesenchymal Stromal Cell.

Osteopenia and osteoporosis are among the most prevalent consequences of ageing, urging the promotion of healthy nutritional habits as a tool in preventing bone fractures. Glucosinolates (GLSs) are organosulfur compounds considered relatively inert precursors of reactive derivatives isothiocyanates (ITCs). Recent evidence suggests that GLSs may exert biological properties based on their capacity to release hydrogen sulfide (H2S). H2S-donors are known to exert anabolic function on bone cells. Here, we investigated whether a GLS, glucoraphanin (GRA) obtained from Tuscan black kale, promotes osteogenesis in human mesenchymal stromal cells (hMSCs). H2S release in buffer and intracellular H2S levels were detected by amperometric measurements and fluorimetric/cytofluorimetric analyses, respectively. Alizarin red staining assay and real-time PCR were performed to evaluate mineral apposition and mRNA expression of osteogenic genes. Using an in vitro cell culture model, our data demonstrate a sulforaphane (SFN)-independent osteogenic stimulation of GRA in hMSCs, at least partially attributable to H2S release. In particular, GRA upregulated the expression of osteogenic genes and enhanced mineral apposition while increasing intracellular concentrations of H2S. Overall, this study suggests the feasibility of using cruciferous derivatives as natural alternatives to chemical H2S-donors as adjuvant therapies in the treatment of bone-wasting diseases.

Effect of glucoraphanin and sulforaphane against chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain: Kv7 potassium channels modulation by H2 S release in vivo.

The beneficial effects of isothiocyanate-based compounds, as well as their safety, have been shown in neuropathological disorders, such as neuropathic pain. Aim of the present work was to study the efficacy of the glucosinolate glucoraphanin (GRA) and the derived isothiocyanate sulforaphane (SFN), secondary metabolites occurring exclusively in Brassicales, on chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain. Mice were repeatedly treated with oxaliplatin (2.4 mg kg-1 ip) for 14 days to induce neuropathic pain. GRA and SFN effects were evaluated after a single administration on Day 15 or after a daily repeated oral and subcutaneous treatment starting from the first day of oxaliplatin injection until the 14th day. Single subcutaneous and oral administrations of GRA (4.43-119.79 µmol kg-1 ) or SFN (1.33-13.31 µmol kg-1 ) reduced neuropathic pain in a dose-dependent manner. The repeated administration of GRA and SFN (respectively 13.31 and 4.43 µmol kg-1 ) prevented the chemotherapy-induced neuropathy. The co-administration of GRA and SFN in mixture with the H2 S binding molecule, haemoglobin, abolished their pain-relieving effect, which was also reverted by pretreating the animals with the selective blocker of Kv7 potassium channels, XE991. GRA and SFN reduce neuropathic pain by releasing H2 S and modulating Kv7 channels and show a protective effect on the chemotherapy-induced neuropathy.

Topical moringin-cream relieves neuropathic pain by suppression of inflammatory pathway and voltage-gated ion channels in murine model of multiple sclerosis.

Background: Neuropathic pain represents the major public health burden with a strong impact on quality life in multiple sclerosis patients. Although some advances have been obtained in the last years, the conventional therapies remain poorly effective. Thus, the discovery of innovative approaches to improve the outcomes for multiple sclerosis patients is a goal of primary importance. With this aim, we investigated the efficacy of the 4-(α−L-rhamnopyranosyloxy)benzyl isothiocyanate (moringin), purified from Moringa oleifera seeds and ready-to-use as topical treatment in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, murine model of multiple sclerosis. Female C57BL/6 mice immunized with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG35­55) were topically treated with 2% moringin cream twice daily from the onset of the symptoms until the sacrifice occurred about 21 days after experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis induction. Results: Our observations showed the efficacy of 2% moringin cream treatment in reducing clinical and histological disease score, as well as in alleviating neuropathic pain with consequent recovering of the hind limbs and response to mechanical stimuli. In particular, Western blot analysis and immunohistochemical evaluations revealed that 2% moringin cream was able to counteract the inflammatory cascade by reducing the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-17 and interferon-γ) and in parallel by increasing the expression of anti-inflammatory cytokine (interleukin-10). Interestingly, 2% moringin cream treatment was found to modulate the expression of voltage-gated ion channels (results focused on P2X7, Nav 1.7, Nav 1.8 KV4.2, and α2δ-1) as well as metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluR5 and xCT) involved in neuropathic pain initiation and maintenance. Conclusions: Finally, our evidences suggest 2% moringin cream as a new pharmacological trend in the management of multiple sclerosis-induced neuropathic pain.

Moringa isothiocyanate complexed with α-cyclodextrin: a new perspective in neuroblastoma treatment.

BACKGROUND: Several lines of evidence suggest the consume of natural products for cancer prevention or treatment. In particular, isothiocyanates (ITCs) exerting anti-cancer properties, have received great interest as potential chemotherapeutic agents. This study was designed to assess the anti-proliferative activities of a new preparation of Moringa oleifera-derived 4-(α-L-rhamnopyranosyloxy)benzyl ITC (moringin) complexed with alpha-cyclodextrin (moringin + α-CD; MAC) on SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells. This new formulation arises in the attempt to overcome the poor solubility and stability of moringin alone in aqueous media. METHODS: SH-SY5Y cells were cultured and exposed to increasing concentrations of MAC (1.0, 2.5 and 5.0 µg). Cell proliferation was examined by MTT and cell count assays. The cytotoxic activity of the MAC complex was assessed by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay and trypan blue exclusion test. In addition, western blotting analyses for the main apoptosis-related proteins were performed. RESULTS: Treatment of SH-SY5Y cells with the MAC complex reduced cell growth in concentration dependent manner. Specifically, MAC exhibited a potent action in inhibiting the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway, whose aberrant activation was found in many types of cancer. MAC was also found to induce the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) p65 activation by phosphorylation and its translocation into the nucleus. Moreover, treatment with MAC was able to down-regulate MAPK pathway (results focused on JNK and p38 expression). Finally, MAC was found to trigger apoptotic death pathway (based on expression levels of cleaved-caspase 3, Bax/Bcl-2 balance, p53 and p21). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that use of MAC complex may open novel perspectives to improve the poor prognosis of patients with neuroblastoma.

Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of a combination of cannabidiol and moringin in LPS-stimulated macrophages.

Inflammatory response plays an important role in the activation and progress of many debilitating diseases. Natural products, like cannabidiol, a constituent of Cannabis sativa, and moringin, an isothiocyanate obtained from myrosinase-mediated hydrolysis of the glucosinolate precursor glucomoringin present in Moringa oleifera seeds, are well known antioxidants also endowed with anti-inflammatory activity. This is due to a covalent-based mechanism for ITC, while non-covalent interactions underlie the activity of CBD. Since these two mechanisms are distinct, and the molecular endpoints are potentially complementary, we investigated in a comparative way the protective effect of these compounds alone or in combination on lipopolysaccharide-stimulated murine macrophages. Our results show that the cannabidiol (5µM) and moringin (5µM) combination outperformed the single constituents that, at this dosage had only a moderate efficacy on inflammatory (Tumor necrosis factor-α, Interleukin-10) and oxidative markers (inducible nitric oxide synthase, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2, nitrotyrosine). Significant upregulation of Bcl-2 and downregulation of Bax and cleaved caspase-3 was observed in cells treated with cannabidiol-moringin combination. Treatment with the transient receptor potential vanilloid receptor 1 antagonist was detrimental for the efficacy of cannabidiol, while no effect was elicited by cannabinoid receptor 1 and cannabinoid receptor 2 antagonists. None of these receptors was involved in the activity of moringin. Taken together, our in vitro results testify the anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, and anti-apoptotic effects of the combination of cannabidiol and moringin.

Anticancer activity of glucomoringin isothiocyanate in human malignant astrocytoma cells.

Isothiocyanates (ITCs) released from their glucosinolate precursors have been shown to inhibit tumorigenesis and they have received significant attention as potential chemotherapeutic agents against cancer. Astrocytoma grade IV is the most frequent and most malignant primary brain tumor in adults without any curative treatment. New therapeutic drugs are therefore urgently required. In the present study, we investigated the in vitro antitumor activity of the glycosylated isothiocyanate moringin [4-(α-l-rhamnopyranosyloxy)benzyl isothiocyanate] produced from quantitative myrosinase-induced hydrolysis of glucomoringin (GMG) under neutral pH value. We have evaluated the potency of moringin on apoptosis induction and cell death in human astrocytoma grade IV CCF-STTG1 cells. Moringin showed to be effective in inducing apoptosis through p53 and Bax activation and Bcl-2 inhibition. In addition, oxidative stress related Nrf2 transcription factor and its upstream regulator CK2 alpha expressions were modulated at higher doses, which indicated the involvement of oxidative stress-mediated apoptosis induced by moringin. Moreover, significant reduction in 5S rRNA was noticed with moringin treatment. Our in vitro results demonstrated the antitumor efficacy of moringin derived from myrosinase-hydrolysis of GMG in human malignant astrocytoma cells.

Tuscan black kale sprout extract bioactivated with myrosinase: a novel natural product for neuroprotection by inflammatory and oxidative response during cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury in rat.

BACKGROUND: Cerebral ischemia and reperfusion (CIR) is a pathological condition characterized by a first blood supply restriction to brain followed by the consequent restoration of blood flow and simultaneous reoxygenation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the neuroprotective effects of Tuscan black kale sprout extract (TBK-SE) bioactivated with myrosinase enzyme, assessing its capability to preserve blood-brain barrier (BBB), in a rat model of CIR. METHODS: CIR was induced in rats according to a classic model of carotid artery occlusion for a time period of 1 h and the reperfusion time was prolonged for seven days. RESULTS: By immunohistochemical evaluation and western blot analysis of brain and cerebellum tissues, our data have clearly shown that administration of bioactive TBK-SE is able to restore alterations of tight junction components (claudin-5 immunolocalization). Also, bioactive TBK-SE reduces some inflammatory key-markers (p-selectin, GFAP, Iba-1, ERK1/2 and TNF-α), as well as the triggering of neuronal apoptotic death pathway (data about Bax/Bcl-2 balance, p53 and cleaved-caspase 3) and the generation of radicalic species by oxidative stress (results focused on iNOS, nitrotyrosine and Nrf2). CONCLUSION: Taken together, our findings lead to believe that bioactive TBK-SE exerts pharmacological properties in protecting BBB integrity through a mechanism of action that involves a modulation of inflammatory and oxidative pathway as well into control of neuronal death.

An overview on neuroprotective effects of isothiocyanates for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.

The discovery of new natural compounds with pharmacological properties is a field of interest widely growing, especially for the management of neurodegenerative diseases. As no pharmacological treatment is available to prevent the development of these disorders, dietary intake of foods or plant-based extracts with antioxidant properties might have beneficial effects on human health and improve brain functions. Isothiocyanates (ITCs), derived from the hydrolysis of the corresponding glucosinolates (GLs), mainly found in Brassica vegetables (Brassicaceae) and, to a lesser extent, in Moringaceae plants, have demonstrated to exert neuroprotective properties. Specifically, strong evidences suggest that antioxidant effects may be ascribed mainly to their peculiar ability to activate the Nrf2/ARE pathway, but alternative mechanisms of action have also been suggested. This review summarizes the current knowledge about the neuroprotective effects of ITCs in counteracting oxidative stress as well as inflammatory and apoptotic mechanisms, using in vitro and in vivo models of acute and chronic neurodegenerative disease. Therefore, ITCs could be regarded as a promising source of alternative medicine for the prevention and/or treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.

Myrosinase-treated glucoerucin is a potent inducer of the Nrf2 target gene heme oxygenase 1--studies in cultured HT-29 cells and mice.

In this study, the effect of myrosinase-treated glucoerucin (GER+MYR), which releases the isothiocyanate (ITC) erucin, on heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) gene expression and Nrf2 signaling was investigated in vitro in cultured cells and in vivo in mice. Treatment of HT-29 cells with GER+MYR resulted in a significant increase in the mRNA and protein levels of nuclear Nrf2 and HO-1. GER+MYR was more potent at enhancing the nuclear Nrf2 levels than were the following myrosinase-treated glucosinolates: sinigrin, glucoraphanin and gluconasturtiin, which are the precursors of allyl-ITC, R-sulforaphane and 2-phenylethyl ITC, respectively. GER+MYR also significantly induced HO-1 gene expression in the mouse intestinal mucosae and liver but not in the brain. Mechanistic studies suggest that GER+MYR induces Nrf2 via ERK1/2-, p38- and JNK-dependent signal transduction pathways. The GER+MYR-mediated increase in HO-1 expression is primarily attributable to p38 signaling.

(RS)-glucoraphanin purified from Tuscan black kale and bioactivated with myrosinase enzyme protects against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats.

Ischemic stroke is the result of a transient or permanent reduction in cerebral blood flow caused by the occlusion of a cerebral artery via an embolus or local thrombosis. Restoration of blood supply to ischemic tissues can cause additional damage known as reperfusion injury that can be more damaging than the initial ischemia. This study was aimed to examine the possible neuroprotective role of (RS)-glucoraphanin, bioactivated with myrosinase enzyme (bioactive RS-GRA), in an experimental rat model of brain ischemia/reperfusion injury (I/R). RS-GRA is a thiosaccharidic compound found in Brassicaceae, notably in Tuscan black kale (Brassica oleracea L. var. acephala sabellica). The mechanism underlying the inhibitory effects of bioactive RS-GRA on inflammatory and apoptotic responses, induced by carotid artery occlusion in rats, was carefully examined. Cerebral I/R was induced by the clamping of carotid artery for 1h, followed by 40 min of reperfusion through the release of clamp. Our results have clearly shown that administration of bioactive RS-GRA (10 mg/kg, i.p.) 15 min after ischemia, significantly reduces proinflammatory parameters, such as inducible nitric oxide synthase expression (iNOS), intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), nuclear factor (NF)-kB traslocation as well as the triggering of the apoptotic pathway (TUNEL and Caspase 3 expression). Taken together our data have shown that bioactive RS-GRA possesses beneficial neuroprotective effects in counteracting the brain damage associated to I/R. Therefore, bioactive RS-GRA, could be a useful treatment in the cerebral ischemic stroke.

Antiinflammatory activity of glucomoringin isothiocyanate in a mouse model of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.

Glucomoringin (4(α-L-rhamnosyloxy)-benzyl glucosinolate) (GMG) is an uncommon member of glucosinolate group belonging to the Moringaceae family, of which Moringa oleifera Lam. is the most widely distributed. Bioactivation of GMG with the enzyme myrosinase forms the corresponding isothiocyanate (4(α-L-rhamnosyloxy)-benzyl isothiocyanate) (GMG-ITC), which can play a key role in antitumoral activity and counteract the inflammatory response. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of GMG-ITC treatment in an experimental mouse model of multiple sclerosis (MS), an inflammatory demyelinating disease with neurodegeneration characterized by demyelinating plaques, neuronal, and axonal loss. For this reason, C57Bl/6 male mice were injected with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein35-55 which is able to evoke an autoimmune response against myelin fibers miming human multiple sclerosis physiopatogenesis. Results clearly showed that the treatment was able to counteract the inflammatory cascade that underlies the processes leading to severe MS. In particular, GMG-ITC was effective against proinflammatory cytokine TNF-α. Oxidative species generation including the influence of iNOS, nitrotyrosine tissue expression and cell apoptotic death pathway was also evaluated resulting in a lower Bax/Bcl-2 unbalance. Taken together, this work adds new interesting properties and applicability of GMG-ITC and this compound can be suggested as a useful drug for the treatment or prevention of MS, at least in association with current conventional therapy.

Comparison of bioactive phytochemical content and release of isothiocyanates in selected brassica sprouts.

The consumption of brassica sprouts as raw vegetables provides a fair amount of glucosinolates (GLs) and active plant myrosinase, which enables the breakdown of GLs into health-promoting isothiocyanates (ITCs). This study reports the determination of the main constituents related to human health found in edible sprouts of two Brassica oleracea varieties, broccoli and Tuscan black kale, and two Raphanus sativus varieties, Daikon and Sango. Radish sprouts exhibited the highest ability to produce ITCs, with Daikon showing the greatest level of conversion of GLs into bioactive ITCs (96.5%), followed by Sango (90.0%). Tuscan black kale gave a value of 68.5%, whereas broccoli displayed the lowest with 18.7%. ITCs were not the exclusive GL breakdown products in the two B. oleracea varieties, since nitriles were also produced, thus accounting for the lower conversion observed. Measuring the release of plant ITCs is a valuable tool in predicting the potential level of exposure to these bioactive compounds after the consumption of raw brassica sprouts.

Protective role of (RS )-glucoraphanin bioactivated with myrosinase in an experimental model of multiple sclerosis.

AIM: The discovery of new natural compounds with pharmacological properties is a field of interest widely growing. Recent literature shows that Brassica vegetables (Cruciferae) possess therapeutic effects particularly ascribed due to their content in glucosinolates, which upon myrosinase hydrolysis release the corresponding isothiocyanates. This study examines the potential neuroprotective and immunomodulatory effects of (RS )-glucoraphanin from Tuscan black kale (Brassica oleracea L. var. acephala sabellica) bioactivated with myrosinase (bioactive RS -GRA) (10 mg/kg/day intraperitoneally), in an experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a model of multiple sclerosis. METHODS: EAE was induced by immunization with myelin oligodendroglial glycoprotein peptide (MOG35-55 ) in mice. After immunization, mice were observed daily for signs of EAE and weight loss. Clinical score was evaluated using a standardized scoring system. RESULTS: By Western blot analysis of spinal cord tissues, we have demonstrated that treatment with bioactive RS -GRA significantly decreased nuclear factor (NF)-kB translocation, pro-inflammatory cytokine production such as interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), and apoptosis (Bax and caspase 3 expression). CONCLUSION: Our results clearly demonstrate that bioactive RS -GRA treatment may represent a useful therapeutic perspective in the treatment of this disease.

Convenient identification of desulfoglucosinolates on the basis of mass spectra obtained during liquid chromatography-diode array-electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry analysis: method verification for sprouts of different Brassicaceae species extracts.

Over the past decade, glucosinolates (GLs) present in different tissues of Brassicaceae and their breakdown products, especially isothiocyanates formed after myrosinase catalyzed hydrolysis, have been regarded as not only environment friendly biopesticides for controlling soilborne pathogens, but most importantly as promising anticarcinogenic compounds. For these reasons, the identification and quantitative determination of the content of individual glucosinolates in plant material is of great interest. Among the different analytical approaches available today for determining GLs in brassica plant samples, HPLC analysis of their desulfo derivatives (DS-GLs) according to ISO 9167-1, 1992, method is the most widely used. However, the notorious lack of commercially available standards limits its usefulness. To overcome these limitations, liquid chromatography-electrospray ionisation-mass spectrometry was investigated as a potential method for the identification of DS-GLs. The characteristic pattern of fragmentation either in positive or negative ionisation was established based on mass spectra of 11 DS-GL standards, then proposed for additional over 30 most common desulfated GLs. The applicability of MS detection of DS-GLs was verified for real plant samples, the extracts of 14 kinds of brassica sprouts. The results indicated that this methodology combines a convenient identification of DS-GLs with the well established analytical procedure preferred by many researchers. Thus, incorporation of MS detection into popular ISO method seems to result in an improved and more reliable approach to GLs determination.

A glucosinolate-rich extract of Japanese Daikon perturbs carcinogen-metabolizing enzyme systems in rat, being a potent inducer of hepatic glutathione S-transferase.

PURPOSE: Glucosinolates/isothiocyanates are an established class of naturally occurring chemopreventive agents, a principal mechanism of action being to limit the generation of genotoxic metabolites of chemical carcinogens, as a result of modulation of cytochrome P450 and phase II detoxification enzymes. The objective of this study was to assess whether a glucosinolate-rich extract from Daikon sprouts, containing glucroraphasatin and glucoraphenin, is a potential chemopreventive agent by modulating such enzymes in the liver and lung of rats. METHODS: Rats were exposed to the glucosinolate-rich Daikon extract through the diet, at three dose levels, for 14 days, so that the low dose simulates dietary intake. RESULTS: At the low dose only, a modest increase was noted in the hepatic dealkylations of methoxy-, ethoxy-, pentoxyresorufin and benzyloxyquinoline that was accompanied by elevated expression of CYP1 and CYP3A2 apoprotein levels. In lung, only a modest increase in the dealkylation of pentoxyresorufin was observed. At higher doses, in both tissues, these increases were abolished. At the same low dietary dose, the Daikon extract elevated markedly glutathione S-transferase activity paralleled by rises in GSTα, GSTµ and GSTπ protein expression. An increase was also noted in quinone reductase activity and expression. Finally, glucuronosyl transferase and epoxide hydrolase activities and expression were also up-regulated, but necessitated higher doses. CONCLUSION: Considering the ability of Daikon glucosinolates to effectively enhance detoxification enzymes, in particular glutathione S-transferase, it may be inferred that consumption of this vegetable may possess significant chemopreventive activity and warrants further evaluation through epidemiology and studies in animal models of cancer.

Effect of sprout extract from Tuscan black cabbage on xenobiotic-metabolizing and antioxidant enzymes in rat liver.

In recent years, health protection by natural products has received considerable attention, and a multitude of nutraceuticals have been characterized and their use promoted. Dietary consumption of Cruciferous vegetables, rich in glucosinolates (GLs), and their myrosinase-mediated hydrolysis products isothiocyanates (ITCs), were associated with reductions in cancer risk. In this study, the chemo-preventive potential of sprout extract of Tuscan black cabbage (Brassica oleracea L. var. acephala subvar. Laciniata L.) (TBCSE), through modulation of the xenobiotic-metabolizing apparatus and antioxidant defenses, was investigated in Sprague-Dawley rat liver. TBCSE was administered either orally or intraperitoneally, at a dose of 15mg/kg b.w., daily for twenty-one consecutive days, in the absence or presence of exogenous myrosinase, ß-thioglucoside glucohydrolase (MYR), to distinguish the effects of intact GLs and ITCs, in the context of the extract. A complex, mild modulation pattern of P450-related monooxygenases was observed, mainly regarding CYP content (up to 36% loss), NADPH cytochrome (P450) c-reductase (up to 26% loss), CYP1A1 (up to 23% loss), but no evident distinctions among the effects of the extracts containing GLs or ITCs, were noted. In contrast, significant inductions of phase-II enzymes (up to 107% for UDP-glucuronosyl-transferase, and up to 36% for glutathione S-transferase) were recorded only where the GLs to ITCs conversion had occurred. A boosting effect on catalase (up to 38%), NAD(P)H:quinone reductase (up to 70%), glutathione reductase and glutathione peroxidase (up to 10%) was also recorded, suggesting an indirect antioxidant capacity of the extracts. Overall, the general phase-I inhibition, together with the up-regulation of detoxifying phase-II and antioxidant enzymes, exerted by the TBCSE supplementation, seem to be in line with the classical chemopreventive theory, but whether the addition of exogenous MYR is relevant, still remains to be clarified. These results are in support of the potential health-promoting application of TBCSE, as a nutraceutical.

Black cabbage seed extract affects rat Cyp-mediated biotransformation: organ and sex related differences.

Brassicaceae are widely consumed in many parts of the world and their dietary intake has been associated with cancer risk reduction. Extracts and metabolites derived from cruciferous vegetables have thus gained popularity as potential cancer chemopreventive agents. We have previously found, unexpectly, that glucoraphanin, the most extensively present glucosinolate in these vegetables, is a potent mutagen bioactivating Phase-I enzyme inducer. In the present study, the influence of black cabbage seed extract, rich in glucoraphanin, was investigated on Phase-I enzymes in different organs of male or female rats. Oral seed extract injection at 120 or 240 mg/kg b.w. for one or four consecutive days, significantly affected various cytochrome P450 (CYP) -linked monooxygenases in a complex way being the lung the most responsive organ (in males, up to ∼2600% increase for CYP2B1/2 isoform and ∼96% loss for CYP1A1, CYP3A1/2). These findings indicate that the extract may strongly enhance and/or suppress rat xenobiotic biotransformation pathways and that caution should be paid to the possible influence on human metabolism. These data suggest an overall evaluation of the balance between beneficial vs. possible adverse effects for each agent, even if of natural origin, prior to routinely, preventive mass use.

Identification and analysis of isothiocyanates and new acylated anthocyanins in the juice of Raphanus sativus cv. Sango sprouts.

The freeze-dried sprouts' juice of Raphanus sativus (L.) cv. Sango was prepared and analysed for the first time. HPLC analysis of total isothiocyanates, after protein displacement, resulted in 77.8 ± 3.0 µmol/g of dry juice while GC-MS analysis of hexane and acetone extracts showed E- and Z-raphasatin (8.9 and 0.11 µmol/g, respectively) and sulforaphene (11.7 µmol/g), summing up to 20.7 ± 1.7 µmol/g of free isothiocyanates. Sprouts' juice contained an unprecedented wealth of anthocyanins and a new fractionation methodology allowed us to isolate 34 mg/g of acylated anthocyanins (28.3 ± 1.9 µmol/g), belonging selectively to the cyanidin family. Analysis was performed by HPLC-PDA-ESI-MS(n) and extended to deacylated anthocyanins and aglycones, obtained, respectively, by alkaline and acid hydrolysis. This study identified 70 anthocyanins, 19 of which have never been described before and 32 of which are reported here in R. sativus for the first time. Sango radish sprouts are exceptional dietary sources of heath-promoting micronutrients.

Dose-dependent effects of R-sulforaphane isothiocyanate on the biology of human mesenchymal stem cells, at dietary amounts, it promotes cell proliferation and reduces senescence and apoptosis, while at anti-cancer drug doses, it has a cytotoxic effect.

Brassica vegetables are attracting a great deal of attention as healthy foods because of the fact that they contain substantial amounts of secondary metabolite glucosinolates that are converted into isothiocyanates, such as sulforaphane [(-)1-isothiocyanato-4R-(methylsulfinyl)-butane] (R-SFN), through the actions of chopping or chewing the vegetables. Several studies have analyzed the biological and molecular mechanisms of the anti-cancer activity of synthetic R,S-sulforaphane, which is thought to be a result of its antioxidant properties and its ability to inhibit histone deacetylase enzymes (HDAC). Few studies have addressed the possible antioxidant effects of R-SFN, which could protect cells from the free radical damage that strongly contribute to aging. Moreover, little is known about the effect of R-SFN on stem cells whose longevity is implicated in human aging. We evaluated the effects of R-SFN on the biology on human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), which, in addition to their ability to differentiate into mesenchymal tissues, support hematopoiesis, and contribute to the homeostatic maintenance of many organs and tissues. Our investigation found evidence that low doses of R-SFN promote MSCs proliferation and protect them from apoptosis and senescence, while higher doses have a cytotoxic effect, leading to the induction of cell cycle arrest, programmed cell death and senescence. The beneficial effects of R-SFN may be ascribed to its antioxidant properties, which were observed when MSC cultures were incubated with low doses of R-SFN. Its cytotoxic effects, which were observed after treating MSCs with high doses of R-SFN, could be attributed to its HDAC inhibitory activity. In summary, we found that R-SFN, like many other dietary supplements, exhibits a hormetic behavior; it is able to induce biologically opposite effects at different doses.

4-Methylsulfanyl-3-butenyl isothiocyanate derived from glucoraphasatin is a potent inducer of rat hepatic phase II enzymes and a potential chemopreventive agent.

The objective of this study was to establish whether the phytochemical glucoraphasatin, a glucosinolate present in cruciferous vegetables, and its corresponding isothiocyanate, 4-methylsulfanyl-3-butenyl isothiocyanate, up-regulate enzymes involved in the detoxification of carcinogens and are thus potential chemopreventive agents. Glucoraphasatin and myrosinase were isolated and purified from Daikon sprouts and Sinapis alba L., respectively. Glucoraphasatin (0-10 µM) was incubated for 24 h with precision-cut rat liver slices in the presence and absence of myrosinase, the enzyme that converts the glucosinolate to the isothiocyanate. The intact glucosinolate failed to influence the O-dealkylations of methoxy- and ethoxyresorufin or the apoprotein expression of CYP1 enzymes. Supplementation with myrosinase led to an increase in the dealkylation of methoxyresorufin, but only at the highest concentration of the glucosinolate, and CYP1A2 expression. In the absence of myrosinase, glucoraphasatin caused a marked increase in epoxide hydrolase activity at concentrations as low as 1 µM paralleled by a rise in the enzyme protein expression; at the highest concentration only, a rise was also observed in glucuronosyl transferase activity, but other phase II enzyme systems were unaffected. Addition of myrosinase to the glucoraphasatin incubation maintained the rise in epoxide hydrolase and glucuronosyl transferase activities, further elevated quinone reductase and glutathione S-transferase activities, and increased total glutathione concentrations. It is concluded that at low concentrations, glucoraphasatin, either intact and/or through the formation of 4-methylsulfanyl-3-butenyl isothiocyanate, is a potent inducer of hepatic enzymes involved in the detoxification of chemical carcinogens and merits further investigation for chemopreventive activity.