Figure 1.

Schematic representation of molecular pathways targeted by isothiocyanates (ITCs) in cancer cells. ITCs exert their anti-tumor activities through various mechanisms, including (i) regulation of the epigenetic machinery, (ii) prevention of metastasis and angiogenesis, (iii) apoptosis via reactive oxygen species-initiated mitochondrial dysfunction (iv) inhibition of cell growth by causing cell cycle arrest and inducing cell death and (v) modulation of phase I and II enzymes [4]. The concentration in which ITCs present biological activity depends on chemical modifications and cell types.