Biomedical application of Indole-3-carbinol: A mini-review

Indole-3-carbinol (I3C) is a plant-derived phytochemical produced when raw cruciferous vegetables are chopped, and their plant cells are damaged. I3C is an orally bioactive compound formed upon the hydrolysis of glucosinolate by the plant enzyme myrosinase. Cruciferous vegetables belong to the Brassicaceae family and include many genera and species with potential biomedical applications. I3C is more abundant in certain cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli, cabbage, green peas, cauliflower, and brussels sprouts, and has multiple biological activities, including antimicrobial, antioxidant, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer activities. Most recent studies indicate that regular consumption of I3C-containing vegetables decreases the rate of various types of cancer. This review focuses on the general biomedical applications of I3C and its role in human wellness.

Automated summary

Indole-3-carbinol (I3C) is a plant-derived phytochemical produced from cruciferous vegetables, with multiple biological activities such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer activities. Regular consumption of I3C-containing vegetables can decrease the rate of various types of cancer.