phenethyl isothiocyanate

Phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC) is a naturally occurring compound found in cruciferous vegetables such as watercress and broccoli. It has been investigated for its chemopreventive and potential antitumor activities, particularly in the context of various cancers including leukemia, lung cancer, and hepatocellular carcinoma. PEITC exerts its effects by targeting multiple proteins involved in cancer cell proliferation, progression, metastasis, and survival. Mechanistically, it induces apoptosis through increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), causes cell cycle arrest followed by mitotic catastrophe, downregulates transcription factors like Sp1 (notably affecting androgen receptor expression in prostate cancer), and activates oxeiptosis—a caspase-independent form of programmed cell death. Its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties further contribute to its anticancer profile[1][3][4][5][6].

Other names

(2-isothiocyanatoethyl)benzene