Organosulfur Compounds: A Review of Their Anti-inflammatory Effects in Human Health.

Llion Arwyn Roberts,Ruheea Taskin Ruhee,Katsuhiko Suzuki,Sihui Ma

doi:10.3389/fnut.2020.00064

Llion Arwyn Roberts, Ruheea Taskin Ruhee + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2020.00064

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Abstract

Phytonutrients are widely recognized for providing protective human health benefits. Among the phytonutrients, epidemiological and experimental studies show that dietary organosulfur compounds (OSC) play a significant role in preventing various human pathological progressions, including chronic inflammation, by decreasing inflammatory mediators such as nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin (PG)E2, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and IL-17, which are all typical hallmarks of inflammation. Evidence supports OSC in reducing the expression of these markers, thereby attenuating chronic inflammatory processes. Nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) is a key regulating factor during inflammation, and novel evidence shows that OSC downregulates this transcriptional factor, thus contributing to the anti-inflammatory response. In vitro and in vivo studies show that inflammation is mechanistically linked with acute and chronic pathological conditions including cancer, diabetes, obesity, neural dysfunction, etc. Furthermore, a considerable number of experiments have demonstrated that the anti-inflammatory properties of OSC occur in a dose-dependent manner. These experiments also highlight indirect mechanisms as well as potent co-functions for protective roles as antioxidants, and in providing chemoprotection and neuroprotection. In this brief review, we provided an overview of the anti-inflammatory effects of OSC and elucidated probable mechanisms that are associated with inflammation and chronic disorders.

Highlights

We are obtaining a growing understanding of how bioactive compounds in plants are helpful agents to protect human health
Consuming fruits and vegetables is linked with reducing the risk of chronic diseases including cardiovascular diseases [1], obesity [2], hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, stroke, cancer, and chronic inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), etc., [3]
Oxidative stress can lead to tissue injury and inflammation by releasing inflammatory cytokines and mediators, which can act as secondary messengers to induce the functions of NF-κB [126]

Summary

INTRODUCTION

We are obtaining a growing understanding of how bioactive compounds in plants are helpful agents to protect human health. Another study elucidated synergistically that SFN in combination with other bioactive compounds such as phenethyl isothiocyanate and curcumin could work more effectively against inflammation by reducing iNOS and COX-2 protein expression, and NO, PGE2, TNF-α, and IL-1 production [73]. SFN suppresses the expression of pro-inflammatory enzymes by blocking the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling cascade, showing preventive effects against chronic inflammation [82]. This mechanism, to some extent, is supportive to protect against neurodegenerative disorders and supports anti-inflammasome properties [80]. In an in vitro analysis, Heiss et al [94] proposed that the anti-inflammatory effects of SFN could be used as a drug for cancer chemo-prevention, through the TABLE 1 | Research elucidating the in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory effects of organosulfur compounds (OSCs)

Findings

DISCUSSION

CONCLUDING REMARK