TY - JOUR
T1 - S-methyl cysteine sulfoxide and its potential role in human health
T2 - a scoping review
AU - Hill, Caroline R.
AU - Haoci Liu, Alex
AU - McCahon, Lyn
AU - Zhong, Liezhou
AU - Shafaei, Armaghan
AU - Balmer, Lois
AU - Lewis, Joshua R.
AU - Hodgson, Jonathan M.
AU - Blekkenhorst, Lauren C.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 The Author(s). Published with license by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.
PY - 2025
Y1 - 2025
N2 - Higher intakes of cruciferous and allium vegetables are associated with a lower risk of cardiometabolic-related outcomes in observational studies. Whilst acknowledging the many healthy compounds within these vegetables, animal studies indicate that some of these beneficial effects may be partially mediated by S-methyl cysteine sulfoxide (SMCSO), a sulfur-rich, non-protein, amino acid found almost exclusively within cruciferous and alliums. This scoping review explores evidence for SMCSO, its potential roles in human health and possible mechanistic action. After systematically searching several databases (EMBASE, MEDLINE, SCOPUS, CINAHL Plus Full Text, Agricultural Science), we identified 21 original research articles meeting our inclusion criteria. These were limited primarily to animal and in vitro models, with 14/21 (67%) indicating favorable anti-hyperglycemic, anti-hypercholesterolemic, and antioxidant properties. Potential mechanisms included increased bile acid and sterol excretion, altered glucose- and cholesterol-related enzymes, and improved hepatic and pancreatic β-cell function. Raising antioxidant defenses may help mitigate the oxidative damage observed in these pathologies. Anticancer and antibacterial effects were also explored, along with one steroidogenic study. SMCSO is frequently overlooked as a potential mediator to the benefits of sulfur-rich vegetables. More research into the health benefits of SMCSO, especially for cardiometabolic and inflammatory-based pathology, is warranted. Human studies are especially needed.
AB - Higher intakes of cruciferous and allium vegetables are associated with a lower risk of cardiometabolic-related outcomes in observational studies. Whilst acknowledging the many healthy compounds within these vegetables, animal studies indicate that some of these beneficial effects may be partially mediated by S-methyl cysteine sulfoxide (SMCSO), a sulfur-rich, non-protein, amino acid found almost exclusively within cruciferous and alliums. This scoping review explores evidence for SMCSO, its potential roles in human health and possible mechanistic action. After systematically searching several databases (EMBASE, MEDLINE, SCOPUS, CINAHL Plus Full Text, Agricultural Science), we identified 21 original research articles meeting our inclusion criteria. These were limited primarily to animal and in vitro models, with 14/21 (67%) indicating favorable anti-hyperglycemic, anti-hypercholesterolemic, and antioxidant properties. Potential mechanisms included increased bile acid and sterol excretion, altered glucose- and cholesterol-related enzymes, and improved hepatic and pancreatic β-cell function. Raising antioxidant defenses may help mitigate the oxidative damage observed in these pathologies. Anticancer and antibacterial effects were also explored, along with one steroidogenic study. SMCSO is frequently overlooked as a potential mediator to the benefits of sulfur-rich vegetables. More research into the health benefits of SMCSO, especially for cardiometabolic and inflammatory-based pathology, is warranted. Human studies are especially needed.
KW - allium vegetables
KW - antioxidant
KW - brassica
KW - cholesterol
KW - cruciferous vegetables
KW - diabetes
KW - glucose
KW - methiin
KW - SMCSO
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85173657686&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/10408398.2023.2267133
DO - 10.1080/10408398.2023.2267133
M3 - Review article
C2 - 37819533
AN - SCOPUS:85173657686
SN - 1040-8398
VL - 65
SP - 87
EP - 100
JO - Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition
JF - Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition
IS - 1
ER -