Hermetica Superfood Encyclopedia
The Short Answer
Sinigrin is a glucosinolate compound found primarily in cruciferous vegetables that demonstrates anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties through p53 tumor suppressor activation. This bioactive compound modulates cytokine production and cellular apoptosis pathways in preliminary research.
CategoryNamed Bioactive Compounds
GroupCompound
Evidence LevelModerate
Primary Keywordsinigrin benefits
Synergy Pairings5
Sinigrin (Glucosinolate) — botanical close-up
Health Benefits
Origin & History
Natural habitat
Sinigrin is a sulfur-containing glucosinolate found primarily in Brassica plants including black mustard (Brassica nigra), white mustard (Sinapis alba), and cruciferous vegetables like watercress and broccoli. It originates in plant vacuoles, particularly in protein bodies of seeds and seedlings, and is extracted through solvent extraction followed by purification. Upon plant tissue damage, sinigrin is hydrolyzed by myrosinase enzyme to form allyl isothiocyanate (AITC), its primary bioactive metabolite.
“While isolated sinigrin lacks documented traditional use, it occurs naturally in mustard plants historically used in European folk medicine for antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory purposes. However, traditional benefits are attributed to glucosinolate breakdown products rather than sinigrin itself.”Traditional Medicine
Scientific Research
No human clinical trials, RCTs, or meta-analyses on isolated sinigrin were identified. A review of 126 registered glucosinolate trials over 20 years found none using sinigrin as the sole intervention. Current evidence is limited to preclinical animal studies including cardiac protection in rats (PMID: 41005146) and in vitro cancer cell studies.
Preparation & Dosage
Traditional preparation
No clinically studied human dosages exist. Animal studies used oral doses of 7.5-30 mg/kg for cardiac effects and 1000 ppm in diet for cancer prevention models. Human dosing cannot be extrapolated from these animal studies. Consult a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement.
Nutritional Profile
Sinigrin is a glucosinolate compound (molecular formula C10H19NO9S2, MW 359.39 g/mol) found predominantly in Brassica vegetables. It is not a macronutrient or micronutrient itself but a bioactive secondary metabolite. Typical concentrations in plant sources: Brussels sprouts (2.0–7.0 mg/g dry weight), black mustard seeds (Brassica nigra, 50–150 mg/g dry weight, one of the richest sources), horseradish (1.0–10.0 mg/g dry weight), cabbage (0.5–2.5 mg/g dry weight), and broccoli (trace to 0.5 mg/g dry weight). Sinigrin is a β-thioglucoside consisting of a glucose moiety linked to an allyl glucosinolate side chain with a sulfate group. Upon hydrolysis by myrosinase (released during plant tissue damage or gut microbial activity), sinigrin converts to its bioactive breakdown products: allyl isothiocyanate (AITC, also known as mustard oil), allyl cyanide, and allyl thiocyanate — these hydrolysis products are the primary drivers of observed biological activity. Bioavailability: Sinigrin itself is water-soluble and absorbed in the small intestine, though gut microbiota-mediated conversion in the colon also contributes to systemic exposure. Cooking significantly reduces sinigrin content (boiling can degrade 30–60% depending on duration and temperature). Myrosinase is heat-labile, reducing hydrolysis to AITC in cooked preparations, though colonic bacteria partially compensate. No caloric contribution is significant at physiological doses. Contains sulfur as a structural component (~8.9% by molecular weight). No direct vitamin, mineral, or fiber content is attributed to sinigrin as an isolated compound.
How It Works
Mechanism of Action
Sinigrin exerts its effects by upregulating the p53 tumor suppressor protein while simultaneously downregulating the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2, promoting programmed cell death in cancer cells. The compound also modulates inflammatory pathways by reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines including interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6). These mechanisms contribute to both its cardioprotective and anti-cancer activities through reduced inflammation and enhanced cellular quality control.
Clinical Evidence
Current evidence for sinigrin is limited to preliminary animal studies in rat models. Cardiac protection studies demonstrated reduced inflammation and fibrosis at doses of 7.5-30 mg/kg, with significant decreases in inflammatory markers IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6. Anti-cancer research showed inhibition of liver and colon tumor formation through p53 upregulation and Bcl-2 downregulation mechanisms. Human clinical trials are not yet available to confirm these preliminary findings or establish safe and effective dosing protocols.
Safety & Interactions
Safety data for sinigrin supplementation in humans is currently lacking, as research has been limited to animal models. Potential interactions with cancer medications targeting p53 pathways or anti-inflammatory drugs should be considered due to sinigrin's effects on these systems. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid supplementation due to insufficient safety data. Individuals with existing liver or colon conditions should consult healthcare providers before use given the compound's effects on these tissues in animal studies.
Synergy Stack
Hermetica Formulation Heuristic
Also Known As
2-propenyl glucosinolateallyl glucosinolatepotassium myronatemyronic acid potassium saltallyl-GSL2-propenyl-GSLmustard oil glycoside
Frequently Asked Questions
What foods contain sinigrin naturally?
Sinigrin is found primarily in cruciferous vegetables, with the highest concentrations in Brussels sprouts, black mustard seeds, and horseradish. Broccoli, cabbage, and watercress also contain notable amounts of this glucosinolate compound.
How much sinigrin was used in animal studies?
Rat studies used sinigrin doses ranging from 7.5 to 30 mg/kg body weight for cardiac protection effects. These animal dosages cannot be directly translated to human equivalent doses without proper clinical trials and safety testing.
Does sinigrin interact with cancer medications?
Sinigrin affects the p53 tumor suppressor pathway and Bcl-2 protein levels, which could potentially interact with cancer drugs targeting these same mechanisms. Patients on cancer treatment should consult their oncologist before using sinigrin supplements due to these overlapping pathways.
Can sinigrin supplements replace eating cruciferous vegetables?
Supplements cannot fully replace whole cruciferous vegetables, which provide additional beneficial compounds like sulforaphane, indole-3-carbinol, and various vitamins and minerals. Whole foods offer synergistic effects and broader nutritional benefits beyond isolated sinigrin content.
What's the difference between sinigrin and other glucosinolates?
Sinigrin specifically targets p53 and Bcl-2 pathways for anti-cancer effects, while other glucosinolates like sulforaphane activate Nrf2 antioxidant pathways and glucoraphanin focuses on detoxification enzymes. Each glucosinolate has distinct molecular targets and biological activities despite sharing the same chemical class.
What is the current strength of clinical evidence for sinigrin's heart health benefits in humans?
Current evidence for sinigrin's cardiac protective effects is limited to animal studies, primarily rat models showing reduced inflammation and fibrosis markers at doses of 7.5-30 mg/kg. Human clinical trials examining sinigrin's impact on cardiac inflammation or fibrosis are lacking, making it premature to recommend sinigrin supplements specifically for heart health without consulting a healthcare provider. The animal research suggests potential but requires human validation before definitive claims can be made.
How does the body convert sinigrin into its active compounds, and does cooking affect this process?
Sinigrin is converted into isothiocyanates—its bioactive metabolites—through enzymatic breakdown by myrosinase, an enzyme found in cruciferous vegetables that is activated when cells are damaged during chewing or chopping. Heat from cooking can inactivate myrosinase, potentially reducing conversion to isothiocyanates, which is why raw or lightly steamed cruciferous vegetables may deliver more active compounds than heavily cooked versions. Supplemental sinigrin may bypass this conversion issue depending on its formulation, but bioavailability data in humans remains limited.
Is sinigrin supplementation safe for people taking blood thinners or anticoagulant medications?
Sinigrin itself has not been documented to directly interact with blood thinners or anticoagulants in clinical literature, but cruciferous vegetables high in sinigrin contain vitamin K, which can reduce warfarin effectiveness. Individuals on anticoagulants should maintain consistent sinigrin intake from food rather than using variable supplemental doses, and should discuss any supplementation with their healthcare provider to avoid complications. Direct sinigrin-drug interaction studies in humans are absent, so personalized medical guidance is essential.
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