Chemopreventive mechanisms and other properties of glucosinolates

The increasing incidence of cancer is driving research into new methods of cancer prevention. Chemoprevention is the use of natural or synthetic substances to slow down, stop or delay carcinogenesis. Increased intake of cruciferous plants may have a beneficial effect on reducing the incidence of human cancers. This is related to the presence of glucosinolates, i.e. biologically active substances whose enzymatic degradation products have a detoxifying effect, inhibiting neoplastic processes and adhesion, and intensifying tumour cell apoptosis.