Benzyl isothiocyanate but not benzyl nitrile from Brassicales plants dually blocks the COX and LOX pathway in primary human immune cells

• Benzyl ITC suppressed LPS-triggered COX pathway activation in human PBMC.
• Benzyl nitrile did not influence PGE2 synthesis.
• Benzyl ITC blocked leukotriene LTB4 release in human PBMC.
• Benzyl ITC mediated inhibition of ERK1/2 and c-Jun preceded COX-2 suppression.
• Benzyl ITC reduced the activation and function of activated T lymphocytes.

The main products formed from glucosinolates from Brassicales plants are isothiocyanates (ITCs) and nitriles. ITCs are known for their diverse bioactive potential, knowledge about the bioactivity of food-borne nitriles is poor, though. Anti-inflammation by benzyl ITC (BITC) and its nitrile has not so far been studied in human immune cells. Here, the potential of BITC to inhibit the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced inflammatory response in human peripheral mononuclear blood cells (PBMC) was analysed in comparison to benzyl nitrile (BCN).Our data show that BITC strongly interferes with the cellular pro-inflammatory response in terms of dual COX and LOX pathway inhibition and reduced the activation and function of activated T lymphocytes. In contrast, BCN did not influence prostaglandin PGE2 release from PBMC. The inactivity of the glucosinolate product BCN must be considered when Brassicales plants are intended for use against inflammatory diseases.