Two Faces of Indole-3-Carbinol—Analysis of Lipid Peroxidation Induced by Fenton Reaction Substrates in Porcine Ovary and Kidney Homogenates

<b>Background</b>: Indole-3-carbinol is an indole derivative which is commonly present in vegetables, which belong to <i>Brassicaceae family</i> and has many medicinal properties. This study aimed to investigate the antioxidant impact of indole-3-carbinol on damages caused by Fenton reaction substrates to lipid membranes (lipid peroxidation) of porcine kidneys and ovaries. <b>Methods</b>: Antioxidant effect of indole-3-carbinol was assessed using Lipid Peroxidation Assay. As damaging agents were used Fenton reaction substrates, i.e., FeSO₄ at 11 different concentrations and H₂O₂. The concentrations of indole-3-carbinol were 0.0, 20.0, 10.0, 5.0, 1.0 and 0.5 mM. <b>Results</b>: Comparative analysis showed higher lipid peroxidation levels in kidney than ovary homogenates at 600-18.75 μM FeSO₄. Indole-3-carbinol significantly reduced LPO in porcine ovary homogenates at higher FeSO₄ concentrations (1200-300 μM) in a concentration-dependent manner, while antioxidant effects in kidney homogenates were observed across a broader FeSO₄ range (1200-18.75 μM). Notably, at the lowest FeSO₄ concentrations (4.687-2.343 μM), high doses of indole-3-carbinol (20.0 and 10.0 mM) induced pro-oxidant effects in both tissues. Furthermore, indole-3-carbinol at these concentrations exhibited potential pro-oxidant activity even in samples without added Fenton reaction substrates. <b>Conclusions</b>: Indole-3-carbinol has dose-dependent antioxidant effects in porcine ovary and kidney homogenates under high oxidative stress, reducing Fenton reaction-induced lipid peroxidation. However, high doses of indole-3-carbinol exhibited pro-oxidant effects at lower prooxidant concentration and under basal conditions (i.e., without addition of prooxidant), highlighting the importance of dose and oxidative conditions in its potential therapeutic use.