Indole-3-carbinol: anticarcinogen or tumor promoter in brassica vegetables?
Level 5 - mechanism / opinion, no new human data
Narrative review summarizing preclinical and animal evidence
PubMed 9566721 · doi:10.1016/s0009-2797(97)00115-4
What was done
The authors reviewed literature from Medline and CancerLit databases evaluating the anticarcinogenic and potential tumor-promoting effects of indole-3-carbinol (I3C), a dietary compound derived from brassica vegetables, across in vivo experimental animal studies.
What was found
The abstract provides no quantitative metrics. It reports that while the majority of published in vivo studies show inhibitory or chemopreventive effects of I3C, some studies demonstrate enhancement or promotion of carcinogenesis, with outcomes varying by initiator, exposure protocol, and species.
Why it matters
This review cautions against assuming uniform chemopreventive benefit from I3C, highlighting that preclinical models can show tumor promotion under certain conditions and urging mechanistic clarity before broad human trials.
Limits
The abstract reports no numerical data, search dates, or total count of studies reviewed. Evidence is restricted to preclinical animal models, limiting direct translation to human dietary or supplemental exposure.
Cited by
- supports Animal studies of indole-3-carbinol (I3C) have shown that whether it prevents or promotes cancer depends on whether it is administered before or after exposure to a carcinogen.