Brassica Vegetables: Rich Sources of Neuroprotective Compounds

BERETTA, VANESA; TORRES-PALAZZOLO, CAROLINA; RAMIREZ, DANIELA; CAMARGO, ALEJANDRA

Psychiatry and Neuroscience Update

Springer

Año: 2021; p. 327 - 341

The Brassicaceae family comprises several economically important vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, radish, kale and rocket, among others. These species have been consumed since ancient times for their unique flavor as well as their beneficial properties. Most reported health-enhancing effects associated to these species include: antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticarcinogenic effects. Although these species have been extensively studied for the above properties, their role as neuroprotective agents has been scarcely reported. Recently, the increase in the rates of neurological disorders and the adverse side effects observed in the long-term administration of synthetic drugs for their treatment has directed researchers? attention toward natural or alternative therapies. In addition, according to the WHO (World Health Organization) actually, more than 400 million people are suffering from a mental disorder and it is predicted to increase. In this context, studying and characterizing neuroprotective natural compounds becomes crucial.Brassica plants are rich sources of several neuroprotective compounds including: isothiocyanates (such as erucin, indole-3-carbinol, allyl isothiocyanante, being sulforaphane the most estudied), phenolic compounds (such as resveratrol, quercetin, isorhamnetin, epigallocatechin, caffeic acid, and kaempferol), vitamins (such as vitamins B, C, and E), several minerals, and carotenoids. In this chapter, we present a review of the main compounds with reported neuroprotective effect found in Brassica vegetables, their mechanism of action and the neurological disorders on which they have positive effects.