Erucin is an isothiocyanate compound found in cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli and arugula. Isothiocyanates are phytochemicals with diverse bioactivities, among which anticancer effects are particularly notable. Other common isothiocyanates include sulforaphane and 3-methylsulfinylpropyl isothiocyanate (iberin).

Figure 1. Chemical Structure of Erucin

Erucin exhibits chemopreventive activity against bladder cancer, associated with downregulation of survivin, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), and HER2/neu (EGFR2) expression. It also inhibits lung cancer cell survival by activating the p53 and p21 signaling pathways and inducing PARP-1 cleavage.

In prostate cancer models, erucin increases p21 expression and ERK1/2 phosphorylation in prostate adenocarcinoma cells, thereby suppressing cell growth. In addition, it upregulates phase I and phase II metabolic enzyme activities, induces apoptosis and cell cycle arrest, and modulates androgen receptor signaling pathways.

Erucin also has the ability to reduce oxidative stress and minimize cellular damage, potentially preventing or delaying pathological changes associated with neurodegenerative diseases. By increasing glutathione and antioxidant enzyme levels, erucin has shown certain therapeutic effects in research models of Parkinson’s disease.

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References

1. Abbaoui B, Riedl KM, Ralston RA, et al. Mol Nutr Food Res. 2012 Nov;56(11): 1675-87.

2. Melchini A, Traka MH, Catania S, et al. Nutr Cancer. 2013;65(1):132-8.

3. Tarozzi A, Morroni F, Bolondi C, et al. Int J Mol Sci. 2012;13(9):10899-910.

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