Plant chemicals created during the preparation of some vegetables
could kill colon cancer cells in a manner similar to cancer drugs.
Scientists have found that these natural chemicals sabotage the
uncontrolled division of colon cancer cells. The plant chemical
allyl-isothiocyanate (AITC) is created when some brassica vegetables are
chopped, chewed, cooked, processed and digested. AITC is a breakdown
product of sinigrin, a chemical compound found in such brassica
vegetables as mustard, cabbage, horseradish, cauliflower, sprouts,
swede, kale and wasabi. This research indicates that preventive dietary
measures can be used in the same way as drugs. Investigators have known
for many years that sinigrin breakdown products kill cancer cells. But
by uncovering a previously unknown part of the process working in a
similar way to some anticancer drugs, they hope to show how important
diet can be in terms of personal health. These studies contribute to a
greater understanding of the role lifestyle plays in cancer prevention.
Contact: Ian Johnson or Liz Lund, Institute of Food Research, Norwich
Research Park, Colney, Norwich NR4 7UA, England, U.K. Phone: +44 1603
255 000. Fax: +44 1603 507 723. Email: ian.johnson@bbsrc.ac.uk or
liz.lund@bbsrc.ac.uk.
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