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Review
. 2024 Mar 11;16(6):802.
doi: 10.3390/nu16060802.

Organosulfur Compounds in Colorectal Cancer Prevention and Progression

Patrick L McAlpine  1   2   3 , Javier Fernández  1   2   3 , Claudio J Villar  1   2   3 , Felipe Lombó  1   2   3
Affiliations
Review

Organosulfur Compounds in Colorectal Cancer Prevention and Progression

Patrick L McAlpine et al. Nutrients. .

Abstract

This work represents an overview of the current investigations involving organosulfur compounds and colorectal cancer. The molecules discussed in this review have been investigated regarding their impact on colorectal cancer directly, at the in vitro, in vivo, and clinical stages. Organosulfur compounds may have indirect effects on colorectal cancer, such as due to their modulating effects on the intestinal microbiota or their positive effects on intestinal mucosal health. Here, we focus on their direct effects via the repression of multidrug resistance proteins, triggering of apoptosis (via the inhibition of histone deacetylases, increases in reactive oxygen species, p53 activation, β-catenin inhibition, damage in the mitochondrial membrane, etc.), activation of TGF-β, binding to tubulin, inhibition of angiogenesis and metastasis mechanisms, and inhibition of cancer stem cells, among others. In general, the interesting positive effects of these nutraceuticals in in vitro tests must be further analyzed with more in vivo models before conducting clinical trials.

Keywords: allicin; glucosinolate; indol-3-carbinol; isothiocyanate; sulforaphane.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Biosynthesis of glucosinolates from methionine. BCAT4: branched-chain amino transferase 4, MAM: Methylthioalkylmalate synthase, IPMI: Isopropylmalate isomerase, IMDH: Inosine-5′-monophosphate dehydrogenase, BCAT3: branched-chain amino transferase 3, CYP: Cytochrome, GSTFII: Glutathione-S-transferase II, GGP1: Glucosinolate-γ-glutamyl peptidase 1, SUR1: Alkyl-thiohydroxymate C-S lyase, UGT: UDP-glucosyl transferase, ST5B: Aliphatic desulfoglucosinolate sulfotransferase B, FMO: Flavin-containing monooxygenase, AOP2: 2-Oxoglutarate-dependent dioxygenase.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Biosynthesis of glucosinolates from phenylalanine. BCAT: branched-chain amino transferase 4, MAM: Methylthioalkylmalate synthase, IPMI: Isopropylmalate isomerase, IMDH: Inosine-5′-monophosphate dehydrogenase, CYP: Cytochrome, SUR1: Alkyl-thiohydroxymate C-S lyase, UGT: UDP-glucosyl transferase, ST5B: Aliphatic desulfoglucosinolate sulfotransferase B.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Biosynthesis of indoles from tryptophan. CYP: Cytochrome, SUR1: Alkyl-thiohydroxymate C-S lyase, UGT: UDP-glucosyl transferase, ST5B: Aliphatic desulfoglucosinolate sulfotransferase B.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Biosynthesis of organosulfur compounds from allium vegetables. GCS: γ-Glutamylcysteine synthetase, GS: Glutathione synthetase, GST: Glutathione S-transferase, GGT: γ-Glutamyl transferase, FMO: Flavin-containing monooxygenase.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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