Harnessing the Antineoplastic Potential of Benzyl Isothiocyanate: Phytochemical-Based Therapeutic Strategy Towards Cancer

Cancer remains a pressing global health issue, with its burden intensified by factors such as increased life expectancy, urbanization, and shifts in environmental and lifestyle patterns. Defined by unregulated cell growth, invasive behavior, and the ability to metastasize, cancer continues to be a principal cause of death and disease globally. In response, there has been growing interest in natural phytochemicals as adjuncts or alternatives to traditional cancer therapies, largely due to their broad-spectrum biological activities and relatively lower toxicity. Benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC), a naturally occurring compound released from glucosinolates in cruciferous vegetables and papaya seeds via myrosinase action, has emerged as a potential anticancer agent. A wealth of preclinical evidence supports BITC's efficacy in cancer prevention and treatment, attributing its effects to mechanisms such as apoptosis induction, disruption of cell cycle progression, suppression of metastasis, and regulation of oncogenic signaling cascades. Recent advancements in nanotechnology have further enhanced BITC's therapeutic potential by improving its stability, bioavailability, and selective toxicity toward malignant cells while sparing normal tissues.