Indole-3-carbinol (I3C) in cancer therapy: Mechanisms, clinical potential, and future perspectives

Indole-3-carbinol (I3C), a bioactive compound derived from cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts, has garnered significant attention for its potential role in cancer prevention and treatment.This review comprehensively examines the mechanisms by which I3C exerts its anticancer effects, including its ability to modulate estrogen metabolism, induce cell cycle arrest, promote apoptosis, and inhibit angiogenesis.Preclinical studies have demonstrated I3C's efficacy in suppressing tumor growth in various cancer models, including breast, prostate, and lung cancers.Additionally, I3C has shown promise in enhancing the effectiveness of conventional chemotherapy agents while mitigating their toxic side effects.Despite these promising findings, clinical evidence remains limited, and further research is needed to establish optimal dosing, bioavailability, and long-term safety profiles.This review also explores the potential of I3C in precision medicine, where its ability to target specific molecular pathways could offer personalised therapeutic strategies.The safety and toxicity of I3C are discussed, highlighting the need for caution in high-dose supplementation, particularly in vulnerable populations such as pregnant women.Future research directions include developing novel delivery systems to enhance I3C's bioavailability and exploring its synergistic effects with other anticancer agents.Overall, I3C represents a promising natural compound for cancer prevention and treatment, warranting further investigation to fully realize its therapeutic potential.