The effect of sulforaphane on human lymphoblastoid cells originating from a patient of a high cancer risk was studied. Sulforaphane (SFN) is a naturally occurring substance of chemopreventive activity. In our study, changes in cell growth, induction of apoptosis and phase 2 enzymes as well as glutathione level were examined. Apoptosis was tested by confocal microscopy at three stages: change in mitochondrial membrane potential, caspase activation and phosphatidylserine externalization. We show that SFN increases the activity of the detoxification system: it increases quinone reductase activity at low concentration (0.5-1 μM) and raises glutathione level in a dose-dependent manner. At higher doses (2.5-10 μM) sulforaphane is a cell growth modulator, as it caused cell growth cessation (IC50 = 3.875 μM), and apoptosis inducer. The results obtained suggest that sulforaphane acts as a chemopreventive agent in human lymphoblastoid cells.
Isothiocyanates (ITCs) are a group of compounds of natural origin which exhibit anticancer properties. In addition to the cytotoxic impact on cancer cells, confirmed in the multiple cell lines and the in vivo models, ITCs exhibit the cytoprotective effect in normal cells by regulating the activity of enzymes involved in xenobiotic metabolism. These properties of ITCs have led to a continuing increase in the number of studies which have shown that ITCs can sensitize cancer cells to cytostatic drugs used as standard in cancer therapies. On the other hand these compounds may decrease the effectiveness of drugs by deregulating the metabolising system of the cell. This paper discusses the results of preclinical study on ITCs applications in combination therapy as well as their role in drug metabolism.
JavaScript is turned off in your web browser. Turn it on to take full advantage of this site, then refresh the page.