One prominent indole configuration, indole-3-carbinol, has achieved notoriety as a therapeutic phytochemical. This recognition is not only because of the anticancer activity of indole-3-carbinol, but because the vegetables in which it occurs belong to the much maligned Brassica genus of cruciferous vegetables; the ever unpopular broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, and kale. It would seem that indole-3-carbinol is partially responsible for the strong flavor that makes these vegetables so unpopular . . . and so healthy.

Indole-3-carbinol is a highly effective anticancer agent, blocking carcinogenic substances before they reach their cellular targets and eliminating DNA damage in cell nuclei. It may also turn out to be an important chemical tool in fighting breast cancer because it inhibits estrogen-induced growth of cancer cells and converts the more dangerous forms of estrogen to safer forms.