dibenzyl trisulphide

Dibenzyl trisulphide (DTS) is a naturally occurring organosulfur compound isolated primarily from the plant *Petiveria alliacea* (commonly known as guinea hen weed or anamu). It has demonstrated potent anti-proliferative and cytotoxic activity against a wide range of cancer cell lines, including non-small cell lung cancer, breast, pancreatic, and prostate cancers. Mechanistically, DTS acts as a selective small-molecule kinase inhibitor—most notably inhibiting the C-terminal kinase domain of Ribosomal S6 kinase 1—and modulates key signaling pathways such as mitogen-activated protein kinases ERK1/2 (MAPK/ERK pathway), leading to hyper-phosphorylation events critical for cell proliferation and neuronal growth[1][5][6]. DTS also inhibits the Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 pathway in cancer cells[8], induces apoptosis by upregulating pro-apoptotic genes like Bax while downregulating anti-apoptotic genes like Bcl-2[8], and causes disassembly of microtubules resulting in anti-mitotic effects[7]. Additionally, it competitively inhibits Cytochrome P450 1A1 enzyme activity with potential chemopreventive properties[3]. Immunomodulatory effects include cytokine switching—downregulating pro-inflammatory Th1 cytokines while upregulating Th2 cytokines—and stimulation of reticuloendothelial system parameters such as granulocyte counts and thymic mass[6]. While not currently approved for pharmaceutical use or marketed under any brand name, DTS is under investigation for its broad anticancer potential.

Other names

DTSdibenzyl trisulfide