Description
Erucin is an isothiocyanate (ITC) and analog of sulforaphane found in cruciferous vegetables. Erucin exhibits antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, anticancer chemotherapeutic, and chemopreventive activities. Like other ITCs, erucin induces phase II enzymes. Erucin also inhibits telomerase and cellular proliferation in hepatocellular carcinoma cells. In animal models of bladder cancer, erucin decreases tumor weight. In animal and cellular models of inflammation, erucin decreases LPS-stimulated expression of IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, iNOS, and COX-2. Additionally, this compound decreases ROS and neuronal apoptosis and increases levels of glutathione, preventing 6-OHDA-induced neurodegeneration in cellular models of Parkinson’s disease.