Naturally occurring organosulfur for treating metabolic disorders and infectious diseases

Abstract

Sulfur has been used as a medicinal agent by the Greeks since ancient times. Approximately 350 sulfur-containing compounds have been approved as drugs by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Generally, sulfur exists as organosulfur in plants and as glucosinolates and isothiocyanates. Metabolic disorders and infectious diseases are becoming worldwide public health problems, directly affecting individuals' quality of life and constitute a robust economic challenge to healthcare systems. Glucosinolates have been reported in several vegetables, bacteria, plants, fungi, and animals. In addition to organosulfur, glucosinolates, and their hydrolyzed products, isothiocyanates have immense therapeutic value. Several studies suggest glucosinolates have a potential role in treating metabolic disorders, including cancer, diabetes, and inflammation. Also, some of the glucosinolates had shown broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria and antifungal activity against fungal strains. This review discusses recently identified naturally occurring sulfur-containing compounds, including glucosinolates and organosulfur, and their therapeutic potential for treating metabolic disorders and infectious diseases.