Formation of Diindolylmethane from I3C

Indole-3-carbinol is the immediate molecular precursor of Diindolylmethane (DIM). Upon consumption of Brassica vegetables, the enzyme myrosinase is released from the plants, which cleaves glucobrassicin to release I3C.

I3C has been shown to degrade fairly readily in aqueous systems to a reactive indolinium ion intermediate. In the environment of the stomach, the indolinium ion reacts with I3C or other indolinium ions to form oligomers such as DIM and Ctr. In cellular environments, the indolinium ion binds non-specifically with free thiols on proteins and glutathione.

Due to I3C's high degree of reactivity and instability within the body, DIM is more recommended as a dietary supplement than I3C as all of I3C's derivatives and their variety of biological activities have not been fully explored. DIM, on the other hand, is more stable and less reactive as a compound, with extensive human clinical studies on its use as a supplement.