Sulforaphene and sulforaphane in commonly consumed cruciferous plants contributed to antiproliferation in HCT116 colon cancer cells

ObjectiveTo analyze two isothiocyanates (sulforaphene and sulforaphane) and their antiproliferative effect of 11 indigenous cruciferous vegetables.MethodsPhytoconstituents identification was conducted by high performance liquid chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometer techniques. The antiproliferation was evaluated in colon cancer cell line HCT116 by MTT assay.ResultsIsothiocyanate identification by high performance liquid chromatography showed that broccoli, cabbage, “Khi-Hood” (Raphanus sativus L. var. caudatus Alef) and Chinese radish contained isothiocyanates sulforaphane. Sulforaphene and sulforaphane in broccoli, cabbage and “Khi-Hood” were characterized by the gas chromatography-mass spectrometer analysis. Antiproliferation screening by MTT assay found that the potent plants which possessed IC50 below 50 μg/mL were cabbage and “Khi-Hood”, while the others had low antiproliferation with IC50 higher than 50 μg/mL. Difference in antiproliferation was probably due to difference existed phytochemical constituents in each plant. “Khi-Hood” possessed the highest antiproliferation against HCT116 with the lowest IC50 at (9.42 ± 0.46) μg/mL. The IC50 of chemotherapeutic drug (mitomycin C) was (19.12 ± 1.00) μg/mL, while both melphalan and 5-fluorouracil possessed the IC50 value higher than 50 μg/mL.ConclusionsCommonly consumed cruciferous vegetables exerted varied antiproliferation and isothiocyanate contents. High isothiocyanate content in “Khi-Hood” was contributed to high antiproliferation. Among 11 plants studied, “Khi-Hood” could be an alternative chemopreventive diet.