phytoestrogens and indole-3-carbinol

Supplementation with the crucifer-derived phytochemicals indole-3-carbinol (I3C) and 3,3'-diindolylmethane (DIM) has been an area of active interest due to their role in estrogen metabolism. This review addresses the debate about which cruciferous compound to use clinically by evaluating their efficacy and safety. Significantly more clinical trials are available for I3C than for DIM. I3C leads to beneficial shifts in hormone markers, and limited evidence suggests that DIM may result in a similar effect. More research in humans is needed to further address whether DIM poses any safety risk. Current data do not suggest that DIM provides enhanced clinical benefits over I3C.

Topics: Anticarcinogenic Agents; Brassicaceae; Consumer Product Safety; Humans; Indoles; Neoplasms; Phytoestrogens; Risk Factors; Vegetables

These results, describing antitumor activity of some of the phytochemicals that have been actively studied, suggest that dietary changes could play a role in decreasing the incidence of a variety of tumors. 13C and the other compounds discussed may well be only prototypes for other as yet unexplored phytochemicals present in the diet. There have been no attempts to explore the possibilities of synergistic action among the various phytochemicals, 13C, limonene, curcumin, epigallocatechin gallate, sulforaphene, or genistein. Mixtures of these compounds might well show potency at lower doses for each of the compounds and show even greater promise than that already demonstrated.

Topics: Anticarcinogenic Agents; Catechin; Estrogens, Non-Steroidal; Female; Humans; Indoles; Isoflavones; Isothiocyanates; Male; Neoplasms; Phytoestrogens; Plant Preparations; Plants, Edible; Risk Factors; Sulfoxides; Thiocyanates

An efficient one-pot synthesis is described of 5,6,11,12,17,18-hexahydrocyclononal[1,2-b:4,5-b':7,8-b'']triindole (CTr), a potent estrogen agonist from food plants. For the procedure, gramine is treated with dimethyl sulfate and sodium in ethanol at room temperature. Quenching of the reaction with water and workup of the product provides CTr in approximately 75% yield.

Topics: Brassica; Catalysis; Estrogens, Non-Steroidal; Indoles; Isoflavones; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; Molecular Structure; Phytoestrogens; Plant Preparations; Receptors, Estrogen; Structure-Activity Relationship; Temperature; Water