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Erucin is a dietary isothiocyanate found in arugula (rocket) and other cruciferous vegetables, and is the reduced sulfide analog of sulforaphane. It donates hydrogen sulfide, activates Nrf2-linked antioxidant defenses and shows antiproliferative activity in preclinical cancer models; erucin and sulforaphane interconvert in the body.
- Activates Nrf2 and antioxidant gene expression
- Donates hydrogen sulfide, a signaling gasotransmitter
- Antiproliferative and pro-apoptotic activity in multiple cancer cell lines
- Interconverts with sulforaphane, broadening its activity
- Enhances chemotherapy activity in preclinical combination studies
- Possible interactions with drug-metabolizing enzymes
Overview
Erucin is the reduced sulfide counterpart of sulforaphane and occurs prominently in arugula. Its identity as a hydrogen sulfide-releasing isothiocyanate has drawn attention because hydrogen sulfide is a gasotransmitter with roles in vascular and anticancer signaling. In triple-negative breast cancer cells, erucin inhibited proliferation and triggered autophagy-dependent apoptotic cell death while suppressing intracellular reactive oxygen species and inducing antioxidant genes.
A defining feature is its metabolic relationship with sulforaphane: the two interconvert in vivo. In a bladder cancer study, sulforaphane and erucin were the most potent isothiocyanate inhibitors of urothelial cancer cell viability, and their metabolites were detected in plasma and tumor tissue with observed interconversion between the two forms.
Across other tissue models erucin has shown consistent antiproliferative signaling; in prostate cancer PC3 cells it raised the cell-cycle inhibitor p21 and ERK phosphorylation, and in lung carcinoma A549 cells it upregulated p53 and p21 with PARP-1 cleavage at higher concentrations. Erucin has also been explored in advanced delivery systems; a frankincense oil nanoemulsion combining paclitaxel and erucin produced synergistic activity and reduced markers of drug resistance and inflammation in a breast cancer model. In most head-to-head comparisons erucin is somewhat less potent than sulforaphane but shares its mechanistic core, and its hydrogen sulfide donation adds a distinct dimension.
- Erucin is the reduced form of sulforaphane, and the two interconvert in the body.
- It is a hydrogen sulfide donor, a gasotransmitter linked to cardiovascular and anticancer signaling.
- Arugula (Eruca sativa) is a primary dietary source of erucin.
Mechanism
Erucin activates the Nrf2/Keap1 antioxidant pathway and acts as a slow hydrogen sulfide donor, contributing to redox and vascular signaling. In transformed cells it upregulates the cell-cycle inhibitors p21 and p53, promotes apoptosis and , and interconverts metabolically with sulforaphane.
receptor fingerprint
Nrf2/Keap1 pathwayactivator
Hydrogen sulfide signalingslow-release donor
p21/p53 cell-cycle controlupregulation
Dosingtypical ranges, not medical advice
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Safetyrisks and cautions, not medical advice
As a dietary isothiocyanate, erucin is generally well tolerated at food-relevant intake. Like other isothiocyanates it can irritate at high concentrations and its human clinical safety and efficacy are not established. Interactions with drug metabolism are plausible given its Nrf2 activity.
History
Erucin was characterized as a promising crucifer-derived chemopreventive isothiocyanate, notably from rocket salads (Eruca sativa), and is frequently studied as the reduced analog and metabolic partner of sulforaphane.
Reputation
It is viewed as a gentler, food-derived cousin of sulforaphane with the added interest of hydrogen sulfide donation, popular in nutritional and phytochemical research.
Subjective profileweighing the evidence above
Eat the arugula. The Nrf2 and hydrogen sulfide biology is real and the cell work is interesting, but human evidence for erucin as a supplement is essentially absent and no dose is established. Sulforaphane, which it interconverts with, is the better studied buy for this pathway.
Resources
This entry is here for reference.
Research
- 2009first citedErucin, a new promising cancer chemopreventive agent from rocket salads, shows anti-proliferati…
- 2023most recentErucin, an H(2)S-Releasing Isothiocyanate, Exerts Anticancer Effects in Human Triple-Negative B…
- 1.Erucin, an H(2)S-Releasing Isothiocyanate, Exerts Anticancer Effects in Human Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells Triggering Autophagy-Dependent Apoptotic Cell Death.
- 2.Inhibition of bladder cancer by broccoli isothiocyanates sulforaphane and erucin: characterization, metabolism, and interconversion
- 3.Antiproliferative activity of the dietary isothiocyanate erucin, a bioactive compound from cruciferous vegetables, on human prostate cancer cells
- 4.Erucin, a new promising cancer chemopreventive agent from rocket salads, shows anti-proliferative activity on human lung carcinoma A549 cells
- 5.Frankincense oil-loaded nanoemulsion formulation of paclitaxel and erucin: A synergistic combination for ameliorating drug resistance in breast cancer: In vitro and in vivo study.
5 listed here; entry last updated August 2026
Reviews
My notesprivate to this device
FAQ
How is erucin related to sulforaphane?
Erucin is the reduced sulfide form of sulforaphane, and the two interconvert in the body.
What makes erucin unusual among isothiocyanates?
It slowly releases hydrogen sulfide, a gasotransmitter with vascular and anticancer signaling roles.
Which foods contain it?
Arugula (rocket) is a primary source, along with other cruciferous vegetables.
Is it as strong as sulforaphane?
In many comparisons it is somewhat less potent, but it shares the same core mechanisms.
Is erucin an approved treatment?
No. The evidence is preclinical; it is studied for prevention and adjunct effects, not established therapy.
Adverse effects
- Possible interactions with drug-metabolizing enzymes
Notes and cautions
- High concentrations can irritate mucosa like other isothiocyanates
- Human clinical efficacy is not established
- Generally less potent than sulforaphane in direct comparisons