title: Glucosinolates: the phytochemicals of nutraceutical importance.
abstract: Glucosinolates (thioglucoside-N-hydroxysulphates) constitute a homogeneous class of naturally occurring thiosaccharidic compounds mainly found in the botanical order Brassicales. They can be hydrolyzed by myrosinase to produce D-glucose and various other degradation products like isothiocyanates (ITCs)-depending on the aglycon part. The exact function of glucosinolates (GLSs) in the plant is unclear, however their potent odour and taste suggests a role in herbivore and microbial defense. They are known for their fungicidal, bacteriocidal, nematocidal and allelopathic properties and have recently attracted intense research interest because of their cancer chemo-protective attributes. Iso-thiocyanates, one of the hydrolyzed products, show best anti-carcinogenic activity.
authors: Amity Institute for Herbal Research & Studies, Amity University-UP, India. dprakash_in@yahoo.com
authors: Dhan
authors: D
authors: Prakash
authors: Charu
authors: C
authors: Gupta
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D019607:Brassicaceae / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D004032:Diet; D005638:Fruit; D005961:Glucosinolates / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006026:Glycoside Hydrolases / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D007211:Indoles / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects; D014675:Vegetables
chemical_list: D005961:Glucosinolates; D007211:Indoles; C053152:ascorbigen; D006026:Glycoside Hydrolases; C022739:thioglucosidase; D001205:Ascorbic Acid