3,3'-Diindolylmethane
Encyclopedia
3,3′-Diindolylmethane or DIM is a compound derived from the digestion
of indole-3-carbinol
, found in cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage and kale. The reputation of Brassica vegetables as healthy foods rests in part on the activities of diindolylmethane.
of the United States
has begun clinical trials of DIM as a therapeutic for numerous forms of cancer
.
, a rare respiratory disease with tumors in the upper respiratory tracts caused by the human papilloma virus. In addition, DIM is in Phase III clinical trials for cervical dysplasia, a precancerous condition also caused by the human papilloma virus. Similarly, it has been studied and shown promising results as a immunostimulant against HPV.
Digestion
Digestion is the mechanical and chemical breakdown of food into smaller components that are more easily absorbed into a blood stream, for instance. Digestion is a form of catabolism: a breakdown of large food molecules to smaller ones....
of indole-3-carbinol
Indole-3-carbinol
Indole-3-carbinol is produced by the breakdown of the glucosinolate glucobrassicin, which can be found at relatively high levels in cruciferous vegetables. Indole-3-carbinol is the subject of on-going Biomedical research into its possible anticarcinogenic, antioxidant, and anti-atherogenic effects...
, found in cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage and kale. The reputation of Brassica vegetables as healthy foods rests in part on the activities of diindolylmethane.
Properties
DIM has the biological properties listed in the chart below. Because of its various potent anticancer properties, the National Cancer InstituteNational Cancer Institute
The National Cancer Institute is part of the National Institutes of Health , which is one of 11 agencies that are part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The NCI coordinates the U.S...
of the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
has begun clinical trials of DIM as a therapeutic for numerous forms of cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
.
Uses
At the present time, DIM is used to treat recurring respiratory papillomatosisLaryngeal papillomatosis
Laryngeal papillomatosis, also known as recurrent respiratory papillomatosis or glottal papillomatosis, is a rare medical condition , caused by a HPV infection of the throat. Laryngeal papillomatosis causes assorted tumors or papillomas to develop over a period of time...
, a rare respiratory disease with tumors in the upper respiratory tracts caused by the human papilloma virus. In addition, DIM is in Phase III clinical trials for cervical dysplasia, a precancerous condition also caused by the human papilloma virus. Similarly, it has been studied and shown promising results as a immunostimulant against HPV.