Indole-3-Carbinol (I3C) is a compound found in cruciferous vegetables like broccoli. Several mouse models have shown that I3C can effectively inhibit tumor formation. A recent study has added to this body of evidence, showing that supplementation with I3C significantly reduced the formation of lung tumors in mice exposed to tobacco-smoke carcinogens.
The study exposed mice to tobacco-smoke carcinogens that have been shown to induce the formation of lung tumors. Some of the mice were then given I3C in their feed at various doses (1, 10, 30, 71 and 112 micromol/g) half-way through the carcinogen-exposure period. Other mice were given 112 micromol/g of I3C one week after carcinogen exposure. I3C supplementation was found to significantly reduce the number of tumours formed in a dose-dependent manner. Mice receiving 1, 10, 30, 71 and 112 micromol/g of I3C had 15%, 51%, 53%, 75% and 88% fewer tumors respectively than mice not receiving I3C. Also interesting was that I3C given a week after carcinogen exposure also reduced tumour formation by an impressive margin of 74%.
Although these results have so far only been demonstrated in mice, mice lung tumours are very similar to human lung tumors, making them a good model for studying lung carcinogenesis. Furthermore, phase I clinical trials in humans have shown that I3C increases glutathione-S-transferase and cytochrome P450 activity. These are key enzymes involved in the detoxification of carcinogens.
The results of this study indicate that I3C could be very promising agent for the prevention of lung cancer. The results also suggest that I3C is effective both during and after carcinogen exposure, indicating that its chemopreventative effects could benefit both current and former smokers. These results are exciting, as lung Cancer is the most common cause of death from cancer, and is estimated to be responsible for 29% of cancer deaths in the US in 2008.
Kassie F et al. Dose-Dependent Inhibition of Tobacco Smoke Carcinogen-Induced Lung Tumorigenesis in A/J Mice by Indole-3-Carbinol. Cancer Prevention Research. 2008; 1(7): 568-576.
For more information see I-3-C
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