And by all means, don’t pass on it. I never knew how many wonderful things this stuff can do for skin.
Allyl isothiocyanate (AITC), also known as mustard oil, is one of the most common naturally occurring isothiocyanates (ITCs). ITCs occur primarily in cruciferous vegetables, many of which show significant cancer chemopreventive(the use of drugs, vitamins, or other agents to try to reduce the risk of, or delay the development or recurrence of, cancer) activities, and therefore are widely suspected to account in part for the cancer preventive activities of these vegetables in humans.
Allyl isothiocyanate as a cancer chemopreventive phytochemical
8 Benefits of Mustard Oil, Plus How to Use It– Pure mustard oil and mustard essential oil may help reduce inflammation and pain, slow cancer cell growth, block microbial growth, and enhance hair and skin health.
Mustard gas – from the Great War to frontline chemotherapy
Topical Nitrogen Mustard – Nitrogen mustard and carmustine can be used topically to treat cutaneous lymphomas. The mechanism of action is still uncertain.
Nitrogen mustard (also known as mechlorethamine or mustine) belongs to a class of drugs known as alkylating agents. These agents slow or stop the growth of cancer cells in the body. Nitrogen mustard powder for injection is administered intravenously to treat certain types of cancers, however topical formulations of nitrogen mustard can be prepared to treat cutaneous T-cell lymphomas, namely mycosis fungoides.
Topical preparations of nitrogen mustard are formulated by mixing the injectable powder with either water or an ointment base. The water preparation is unstable and needs to be used immediately, whereas ointment based preparations of nitrogen mustard are stable for at least a few months.
Topical nitrogen mustard has been used for the treatment of mycosis fungoides since the 1950s. It is particularly effective in or plaque stage mycosis fungoides. Complete response rates have been achieved in 76-80% of patients with limited patch/plaque (stage IA) and 35-68% in those with generalised patch/plaque (stage IB). It is also used for the treatment of Langerhans cell histiocytosis.
Allyl isothiocyanate can be obtained from the seeds of black mustard (Brassica nigra) or brown Indian mustard (Brassica juncea). When these mustard seeds are broken, the enzyme myrosinase is released and acts on a glucosinolate known as sinigrin to give allyl isothiocyanate.
Allyl isothiocyanate serves the plant as a defense against herbivores; since it is harmful to the plant itself, it is stored in the harmless form of the glucosinolate, separate from the myrosinase enzyme. When an animal chews the plant, the allyl isothiocyanate is released, repelling the animal. This chemical has recently been shown to strongly repel fire ants.
Allyl isothiocyanate can also be liberated by dry distillation of the seeds. The product obtained in this fashion is known as volatile oil of mustard and is usually around 92% pure. It is used principally as a flavoring agent in foods. Synthetic allyl isothiocyanate is used as an insecticide, as an anti-mold agent bacteriocide, and nematocide, and is used in certain cases for crop protection.