Antileukemic activity of sulforaphane in primary blasts from patients affected by myelo- and lympho-proliferative disorders and in hypoxic conditions.

Sulforaphane is a dietary isothiocyanate found in cruciferous vegetables showing antileukemic activity. With the purpose of extending the potential clinical impact of sulforaphane in the oncological field, we investigated the antileukemic effect of sulforaphane on blasts from patients affected by different types of leukemia and, taking into account the intrinsically hypoxic nature of bone marrow, on a leukemia cell line (REH) maintained in hypoxic conditions. In particular, we tested sulforaphane on patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia, acute myeloid leukemia, T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and blastic NK cell leukemia. Sulforaphane caused a dose-dependent induction of apoptosis in blasts from patients diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic or myeloid leukemia. Moreover, it was able to cause apoptosis and to inhibit proliferation in hypoxic conditions on REH cells. As to its cytotoxic mechanism, we found that sulforaphane creates an oxidative cellular environment that induces DNA damage and Bax and p53 gene activation, which in turn helps trigger apoptosis. On the whole, our results raise hopes that sulforaphane might set the stage for a novel therapeutic principle complementing our growing armature against malignancies and advocate the exploration of sulforaphane in a broader population of leukemic patients

White cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata f. alba) : botanical, phytochemical and pharmacological overview

White cabbage (Brassica oleraceae var. capitata f. alba) is a cruciferous vegetable used worldwide as a food and in traditional medicine. Due to its common availability in local markets, affordability, and consumer preference, it represents a significant source of phytonutrients in the human diet. This review provides an overview of white cabbage origin, taxonomy, geographical distribution, botanical characteristics, and contemporary and traditional uses, as well as its phytochemicals and pharmacology. Special emphasis is placed on a health-promoting phytochemicals such as glucosinolates, polyphenols, and vitamins, as well as anticancerogenic, antioxidant, anti- inflamantory and cardioprotective effects. The majority of so far published research on white cabbage was focused on qualitative determination of phytochemicals (targeted analysis), while only few recent papers published data based on untargeted metabolomic profiling. Hence, this review discusses and emphasizes a further need of studying the white cabbage phytochemicals using modern metabolomics platforms which will enable scientists to pinpoint the exact bioactive metabolites which are responsible for certain bioactivity