Mustard oil glycosides Mustard oils activate the detoxification metabolism

Nasturtium oils from nasturtium influence the cellular sugar and detoxification metabolism
Nasturtium contains mustard oil compounds, which are noticeable when consumed by a pungent taste. A study now shows that this mustard oil is antidiabetic and activates the enzymes of the detoxification metabolism.

In nature, mustard oils are mainly chemically bound as so-called "mustard oil glycosides" (glucosinolates) in cruciferous vegetables (mustard, broccoli, pak choi, radishes, horseradish, garden and nasturtium). It has long been known from naturopathy that mustard oil compounds from horseradish and the edible large nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus) possess antibacterial properties. Recently, however, there are also scientific indications of antidiabetic effects of these bioactive phytonutrients.

In nature, mustard oils are found mainly in cruciferous vegetables (mustard, broccoli, pak choi, radishes, horseradish, garden and nasturtium). Image: photocrew - fotolia

But what cellular and molecular mechanisms underlie this antidiabetic effect? To answer this question, the researchers investigated the metabolic effects of nasturtium mustard oil using test systems based on cultured human cells.

To this end, the scientists gave different concentrations of a mustard oil compound isolated from nasturtium into the nutrient medium of the test cells and at the same time added the plant enzyme myrosinase, which converts the compound into the mustard oil benzyl isothiocyanate. As the researchers observed, the mustard oil released in the cell culture medium modulated the intracellular signaling pathways of the messenger substance insulin in a dose-dependent manner.

Likewise, in the human liver cells examined, it reduced the production of enzymes necessary for sugar replication. From this the researchers conclude that mustard oil also reduces sugar synthesis in the liver. This is a very important result, since an excess of endogenous sugar production can lead to elevated blood sugar levels with regard to diabetes. Another interesting finding is that mustard oil also activates protective mechanisms against oxidative stress by stimulating the production of enzymes for cellular detoxification metabolism, the researchers say.
The study can be found here.