Gluconapin (Aliphatic Glucosinolate · 3-BITC Precursor · Phase-II Enzyme Induction)
| Compound | Gluconapin |
| Chemical class | Glucosinolate — Aliphatic (3-Butenyl glucosinolate) |
| CAS | 19253-97-5 |
| Primary source | Brassica rapa (turnip/pak choi), Brassica napus (rapeseed), Brassica nigra (black mustard, minor) |
| Key applications | Phase-II enzyme induction, detoxification, anti-inflammatory, Brassica crop marker |
| Claim strength | Moderate |
| Typical form | Turnip/rapeseed extract; Brassica vegetable extract co-constituent |
| Buy from Herbuno | Black Mustard Liquid Extract (Water Soluble) - Brassica Nigra → |
Name origin: From Brassica napus (rapeseed, canola) — one of its primary sources. Gluconapin is the 3-butenyl glucosinolate — an aliphatic glucosinolate with a terminal double bond (vinyl group) on a three-carbon chain. Hydrolysis generates 3-butenyl isothiocyanate (3-BITC, not to be confused with benzyl-BITC from glucotropaeolin). Traditional use: Turnip (Brassica rapa, Shalgam in Hindi) has extensive traditional use across Asian, European, and Middle Eastern food and medicine traditions for respiratory conditions, digestive complaints, and as a winter nutrition staple. Rapeseed (Brassica napus, the source of canola oil) has traditional use in Indian and Chinese cooking. Research trajectory: Gluconapin has documented Phase-II enzyme induction (Nrf2 pathway activation via 3-BITC), anti-inflammatory effects, and antiproliferative activity in cell models. It is a less extensively studied glucosinolate compared to glucoraphanin and glucobrassicin but contributes to the overall chemopreventive and detoxification benefits of Brassica rapa and rapeseed consumption. Commercial source: Available as a constituent of Black Mustard extract from Herbuno. See sourcing options below.
Evidence for Gluconapin Applications
Phase-II enzyme induction (Nrf2 via 3-BITC): 3-Butenyl isothiocyanate (3-BITC, from gluconapin hydrolysis) activates Nrf2 and induces Phase-II detoxification enzymes (GST, NQO1, HO-1). The alkenyl isothiocyanate class (which includes AITC and 3-BITC) are effective Nrf2 activators and Phase-II enzyme inducers. In animal studies, gluconapin-containing diets show significant detoxification enzyme upregulation in liver and intestinal tissue. Claim strength: Moderate.
Anti-inflammatory: Gluconapin and 3-BITC inhibit NF-κB and reduce pro-inflammatory cytokine production in macrophage models. In vivo anti-inflammatory activity in rodent inflammatory models is documented. Consistent with the traditional use of turnip in anti-inflammatory applications. Claim strength: Moderate.
Antiproliferative: 3-BITC induces apoptosis in prostate and breast cancer cell lines via ROS generation and mitochondrial pathway activation. Less extensively studied than PEITC or sulforaphane but the isothiocyanate mechanism is consistent across the class. Claim strength: Moderate (preclinical; class-level evidence).
Black Mustard Liquid Extract (Water Soluble) - Brassica Nigra →
Browse Standardised Extract Powders →
Dosage & Formulator Specification
No established human supplement dose for isolated gluconapin. Dietary exposure from turnip and rapeseed consumption: gluconapin content in Brassica rapa leaf/root: 1–10 mg gluconapin per gram dry weight (variable by cultivar). For Brassica extract formulations targeting the complete glucosinolate profile, specify gluconapin content by HPLC alongside other glucosinolates (glucoraphanin, glucobrassicin, sinigrin) for comprehensive characterisation. Gluconapin is one of several aliphatic glucosinolates that collectively contribute to the Phase-II enzyme-inducing properties of cruciferous vegetable consumption.
Frequently Asked Questions — Gluconapin
Is gluconapin the same as glucoraphanin?
No — they are structurally different aliphatic glucosinolates. Glucoraphanin has a 4-methylsulfinylbutyl side chain; gluconapin has a 3-butenyl side chain (with a terminal vinyl/double bond). They generate different isothiocyanates (sulforaphane vs 3-BITC) with similar but distinct pharmacological profiles. Glucoraphanin/sulforaphane has the stronger clinical evidence base; gluconapin/3-BITC contributes to the overall chemopreventive profile of Brassica crops alongside glucoraphanin.
What is goitrin and is gluconapin related?
Goitrin (5-vinyloxazolidine-2-thione) is a thyroid-disrupting glucosinolate hydrolysis product from progoitrin (2-hydroxy-3-butenyl glucosinolate). Gluconapin (3-butenyl glucosinolate) generates 3-butenyl isothiocyanate, NOT goitrin. Progoitrin and gluconapin are structurally similar (both have butenyl chains) but progoitrin’s hydroxyl group allows goitrin ring closure; gluconapin lacks this hydroxyl and generates a standard isothiocyanate instead. Gluconapin is not a goitrogenic glucosinolate.
Is canola/rapeseed oil a source of gluconapin?
No — rapeseed oil contains negligible glucosinolates. Glucosinolates are water-soluble and remain in the seed meal after oil pressing; they do not partition into the oil phase. Commercial canola oil has essentially zero glucosinolate content. For gluconapin from rapeseed, the seed meal or a dedicated aqueous/alcohol extract of the seed (not the oil) is the appropriate source.
Can gluconapin be combined with glucoraphanin for a comprehensive Brassica supplement?
Yes — a comprehensive Brassica glucosinolate extract providing both glucoraphanin (sulforaphane precursor) and gluconapin (3-BITC precursor) alongside glucobrassicin (I3C/DIM precursor) addresses multiple Phase-II enzyme induction mechanisms and oestrogen metabolism modulation simultaneously. This multi-glucosinolate approach is mechanistically superior to isolated sulforaphane supplementation for comprehensive Brassica chemopreventive positioning.
Related compounds: Glucoraphanin, Sinigrin, Glucobrassicin, Sulforaphane
Claim-strength scale – High = multiple human RCTs; Moderate = limited trials or strong preclinical convergence; Emerging = early-stage lab or animal data.
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