title: Anticancer Mechanism of Sulfur-Containing Compounds.
abstract: Fruit and vegetables have traditionally represented a main source for the discovery of many biologically active substances with therapeutic values. Among the many bioactive compounds identified over the years, sulfur-containing compounds, which are present especially in the genera Allium and Brassica, have been showing a protective effect against different types of cancer. Many in vitro and in vivo studies reported that apoptosis is crucial for the anticancer effects of sulfur-containing compounds. Garlic and onion compounds and isothiocyanates contained in Brassica vegetables are able to modulate apoptosis by a wide range of mechanisms. This chapter will give an overview on the induction of apoptosis by sulfur-containing compounds in cancer cells and their different molecular mechanisms. Finally, the potential clinical implications of their proapoptotic effects will be discussed.
authors: Interdepartmental Center for Industrial Research, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Rimini, Italy.
authors: Elena
authors: E
authors: De Gianni
authors: Department for Life Quality Studies, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Rimini, Italy. Electronic address: carmela.fimognari@unibo.it.
authors: Carmela
authors: C
authors: Fimognari
keywords: Allicin; Allium; Apoptosis; Brassica; Cancer cells; Diallyl disulfide; Diallyl trisulfide; Phenethyl isothiocyanate; Sulforaphane; Sulfur-containing compounds