Indole-3-Carbinol Research
40 peer-reviewed studies · Evidence score: 7.5/10
Treatment Interventions for Usual-Type Vulvar Intraepithelial Neoplasia: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Simões AC et al. • Journal of lower genital tract disease (2025)
Imiquimod 5% is an effective treatment for uVIN with comparable results to surgery.
- A meta-analysis of 2 studies comparing imiquimod 5% to placebo found that 55.3% of women in the imiquimod group experienced total lesion resolution, compared to 0% in the placebo group (risk ratio = 18.21, 95% CI = 2.60-127.69).
- Cidofovir 1% had a complete response rate of 41%, while imiquimod 5% showed a 42% response.
- Imiquimod 5% was well-tolerated and showed a trend toward noninferiority to surgical treatments.
Cruciferous Vegetables, Bioactive Metabolites, and Microbiome for Breast Cancer Prevention
Ho E et al. • Annual review of nutrition (2025)
Integrating cruciferous vegetables and their bioactive compounds in light of an individual's microbiome profile as a complementary approach alongside standard treatments is a promising strategy in breast cancer care.
- Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease with varying subtypes, prognoses, and treatment responses.
- Cruciferous vegetables have shown promise in reducing breast cancer risk.
- Integrating cruciferous vegetables and their bioactive compounds in light of an individual's microbiome profile as a complementary approach alongside standard treatments is a promising strategy in breast cancer care.
Indole-3-Carbinol Mechanisms Combating Chemicals and Drug Toxicities
Gerges MN et al. • Journal of biochemical and molecular toxicology (2025)
Thus, I3C prevents the toxicities caused by chemicals in the surrounding environment as well as those of consumed drugs.© 2025 Wiley Periodicals LLC.
- Moreover, it reduces fetal malformation and protects against micronuclei formation and calstogenecity induced by cyclophosphamide (CP) in bone marrow cells.
- It also attenuates methotrexate (MTX)-induced hepatotoxicity, mitigates neurotoxicity caused by thioacetamide and clonidine, and protects against aspirin side effects in gastric mucosa.
- Furthermore, its nanoparticles inhibit neuronal damage caused by glutamate and rotenone.
Indole-3-Carbinol: Occurrence, Health-Beneficial Properties, and Cellular/Molecular Mechanisms
Amarakoon D et al. • Annual review of food science and technology (2023)
This article reviews current knowledge of the occurrence of I3C in nature and foods, along with the beneficial effects of I3C and DIM concerning prevention and treatment of human chronic diseases, focusing on preclinical studies and their mechanisms of action at cellular and molecular levels.
- One of its main in vivo metabolites is 3,3'-diindolylmethane (DIM), formed by the condensation of two molecules of I3C.
- Both I3C and DIM alter multiple signaling pathways and related molecules controlling diverse cellular events, including oxidation, inflammation, proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, angiogenesis, and immunity.
- There is a growing body of evidence from both in vitro and in vivo models that these compounds possess strong potential to prevent several forms of chronic disease such as inflammation, obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, hypertension, neurodegenerative diseases, and osteoporosis.
Indole-3-carbinol and its main derivative 3,3'-diindolylmethane: Regulatory roles and therapeutic potential in liver diseases
Tian C et al. • Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie (2024)
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- Mechanistically, I3C and DIM modulate various pathophysiological processes, including cell proliferation, apoptosis, oxidative stress, and lipogenesis.
- This review aims to enhance researchers' understanding of the regulatory roles of I3C and DIM in these liver diseases and explore the potential of plant-derived substances in liver disease treatment.Copyright © 2024 The Authors.
- Published by Elsevier Masson SAS..
Do Brassica Vegetables Affect Thyroid Function?-A Comprehensive Systematic Review
Galanty A et al. • International journal of molecular sciences (2024)
Instead, they indicate that including brassica vegetables in the daily diet, particularly when accompanied by adequate iodine intake, poses no adverse effects on thyroid function.
- We analyzed the results of 123 articles of in vitro, animal, and human studies, describing the impact of brassica plants and extracts on thyroid mass and histology, blood levels of TSH, T3, T4, iodine uptake, and the effect on thyroid cancer cells.
- We also presented the mechanisms of the goitrogenic potential of GLSs and ITCs, the limitations of the studies included, as well as further research directions.
- The vast majority of the results cast doubt on previous assumptions claiming that brassica plants have antithyroid effects in humans.
WWP1 E3 ligase at the crossroads of health and disease
Behera A et al. • Cell death & disease (2023)
This systematic-review examined the effects of Indole-3-Carbinol.
- In this review, we discuss the evolutionary perspective, structure, and functions of WWP1 and its multilevel regulation by various regulators.
- We also examine its emerging roles in cancer progression and its therapeutic potential.
- Finally, we highlight WWP1's role in normal physiology, contribution to pathological conditions, and therapeutic potential for cancer and other diseases.© 2023.
Medical and surgical interventions for the treatment of usual-type vulval intraepithelial neoplasia
Lawrie TA et al. • The Cochrane database of systematic reviews (2016)
Topical treatment (imiquimod or cidofovir) may effectively treat about half of uVIN cases after a 16-week course of treatment, but the evidence on whether this effect is sustained is limited.
- Medical interventions: Topical imiquimod was more effective than placebo in achieving a response (complete or partial) to treatment at five to six months post-randomisation (three RCTs, 104 women; risk ratio (RR) 11.95, 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.21 to 44.51; high-quality evidence).
- At five to six months, a complete response occurred in 36/62 (58%) and 0/42 (0%) women in the imiquimod and placebo groups, respectively (RR 14.40, 95% CI 2.97 to 69.80).
- Moderate-quality evidence suggested that the complete response was sustained at one year (one RCT, nine complete responses out of 52 women (38%)) and beyond, particularly in women with smaller VIN lesions.
Indole-3-carbinol (I3C) as Leukemia Therapeutic Agents: Review
Karimabad MN et al. • Mini reviews in medicinal chemistry (2023)
In the present review, the authors mainly tried to focus on and emphasize I3C applications in leukemia treatment.Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.
- Furthermore, 75 to 80% of the global population use herbal remedies as primary therapy, mainly because of their better efficiency and satisfaction, which elevate the human body symmetry with the minimum unwanted adverse effects.
- For the control of cancer, plant products, and fruits have been considered promising tools and are being consumed for centuries.
- Several plant extracts are also being used for the therapy and prevention of different types of known cancers.
Phytochemicals as regulators of Th17/Treg balance in inflammatory bowel diseases
Chang Y et al. • Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie (2021)
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- Recently, a growing body of studies has indicated that phytochemicals derived from natural products are potent regulators of Th17/Treg, and exert preferable protective benefits against colonic inflammation.
- Published by Elsevier Masson SAS..
- All rights reserved.
Medical interventions for high-grade vulval intraepithelial neoplasia
Pepas L et al. • The Cochrane database of systematic reviews (2015)
Topical imiquimod appears to be a safe and effective treatment for high-grade VIN (uVIN), even though local side-effects may necessitate dose reductions.
- A complete response at five to six months occurred in 36/62 (58%) and 0/42 (0%) participants in the active and placebo groups, respectively (RR 14.40, 95% CI 2.97 to 69.80; participants = 104; studies = 3; I(2) = 0%).
- Dose reductions occurred more frequently in the active treatment group compared with the placebo group (19/47 versus 1/36 participants; RR 7.77, 95% CI 1.61 to 37.36; participants = 83; studies = 2; I(2) = 0%; high-quality evidence).
- The overall response at six months was similar for the imiquimod and cidofovir treatment groups with 52/91 (57%) versus 55/89 (62%) participants responding, respectively (RR 0.92, 95% CI 0.73 to 1.18).
Tryptophan metabolites modulate inflammatory bowel disease and colorectal cancer by affecting immune system
Ala M • International reviews of immunology (2022)
Additionally, extensive molecular interactions between tryptophan metabolites and intracellular signaling pathways will be thoroughly discussed.
- Serotonin system also increases colorectal cancer cells proliferation and metastasis while, indole metabolites can profoundly decrease colorectal cancer growth.
- Furthermore, it will be explained how indole metabolites supplementation, inhibition of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1), KMO and serotonin receptors can protect against colorectal cancer.
- Additionally, extensive molecular interactions between tryptophan metabolites and intracellular signaling pathways will be thoroughly discussed.
The HECT family of E3 ubiquitin ligases and PTEN
Song MS et al. • Seminars in cancer biology (2022)
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- In turn this unfolding regulatory network is allowing for the identification of genes directly involved in both tumorigenesis at large and cancer susceptibility syndromes.
- While the complexity of this regulatory network is still being unraveled, these new findings are paving the way for novel therapeutic modalities for cancer prevention and therapy as well as for other diseases.
- Here we will review the signal transduction and therapeutic implications of the cross-talk between HECT family members and PTEN.Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Ltd.
Indole-3-Carbinol and Its Derivatives as Neuroprotective Modulators
Saini N, Akhtar A, Siddiqui SM, Kacker P • Brain Research Bulletin (2022)
I3C and DIM demonstrate significant neuroprotective properties through anti-inflammatory and antioxidant mechanisms.
- I3C activates the aryl hydrocarbon receptor pathway with broad anti-inflammatory effects
- Neuroprotective effects demonstrated in multiple neurodegeneration models
- DIM (the primary metabolite) shows enhanced bioavailability and potency compared to I3C
Chemoprevention of Breast Cancer With Vitamins and Micronutrients: A Concise Review
Mokbel K et al. • In vivo (Athens, Greece) (2019)
Delinasios), All rights reserved.
- Therefore, a supplement that contains these micronutrients, using the safest form and dosage should be investigated in future breast cancer chemoprevention studies and as part of standard breast cancer therapy.Copyright© 2019, International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr.
- Delinasios), All rights reserved.
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Food as Pharma? The Case of Glucosinolates
Capuano E et al. • Current pharmaceutical design (2017)
It appears that certain BPs may protect against and may even represent a therapeutic strategy against several forms of cancer.
- It appears that certain BPs may protect against and may even represent a therapeutic strategy against several forms of cancer.
- Whether this latter effect can be achieved through diet or supplements should be investigated more thoroughly.
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Indole-3-Carbinol and Its Role in Chronic Diseases
Licznerska B et al. • Advances in experimental medicine and biology (2016)
This chapter summarizes the current experimental data on the I3C and DIM activity and the results of clinical studies indicating their role in prevention of chronic diseases.
- Initially, these compounds were classified as blocking agents that increase drug-metabolizing enzyme activity.
- Now it is widely accepted that I3C and DIM affect multiple signaling pathways and target molecules controlling cell division, apoptosis, or angiogenesis deregulated in cancer cells.
- Although most of the current data support the role of I3C and DIM in prevention of hormone-dependent cancers, it seems that their application in prevention of the other cancer as well as cardiovascular disease, obesity, and diabetes reduction is also possible.
Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR)-mediated inflammation and resolution: Non-genomic and genomic signaling
Bock KW • Biochemical pharmacology (2020)
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- AHR is mainly involved in the resolution phase by induction of lipoxin A4 and Il-22.
- Moderate AHR activation by phytochemicals and microbial AHR ligands may facilitate resolution.
- In control of inflammation, AHR appears to integrate environmental conditions with coordinated cellular functions.Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc.
Molecular Targets, Anti-cancer Properties and Potency of Synthetic Indole-3-carbinol Derivatives
Karimabad MN et al. • Mini reviews in medicinal chemistry (2019)
We aimed the present manuscript, current study, to review anticancer properties and the miscellaneous mechanisms underlying the antitumorigenicity in an in-depth study for broadening the I3C treating marvel.Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.
- In particular, I3C and DIM have been extensively investigated for their importance against numbers human cancers both in vitro and in vivo.
- Published in Mini reviews in medicinal chemistry (2019)
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Indole-3-carbinol induces tumor cell death: function follows form
Megna BW et al. • The Journal of surgical research (2016)
Some degree of the cytotoxic and proapoptotic effects of indole-3-carbinol on colon cancer cells is dependent on activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor.
- Some degree of the cytotoxic and proapoptotic effects of indole-3-carbinol on colon cancer cells is dependent on activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor.
- This represents a novel mechanism for the molecular action of indole-3-carbinol and enhances our understanding of its effects in the context of colorectal cancer.
- Continued preclinical study of both indole-3-carbinol and the aryl hydrocarbon receptor pathway is warranted, which may one day lead to novel diet-derived colon cancer treatments that enlist the AHR.