New highlights on the health-improving effects of sulforaphane

Abstract

In this paper, we review recent evidence about the beneficial effects of sulforaphane (SFN), which is the most studied member of isothiocyanates, on both in vivo and in vitro models of different diseases, mainly diabetes and cancer. The role of SFN on oxidative stress, inflammation, and metabolism is discussed, with emphasis on those nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) pathway-mediated mechanisms. In the case of the anti-inflammatory effects of SFN, the point of convergence seems to be the downregulation of the nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB), with the consequent amelioration of other pathogenic processes such as hypertrophy and fibrosis. We emphasized that SFN shows opposite effects in normal and cancer cells at many levels; for instance, while in normal cells it has protective actions, in cancer cells it blocks the induction of factors related to the malignity of tumors, diminishes their development, and induces cell death. SFN is able to promote apoptosis in cancer cells by many mechanisms, the production of reactive oxygen species being one of the most relevant ones. Given its properties, SFN could be considered as a phytochemical at the forefront of natural medicine.

Sulforaphane Protect Against Cadmium-Induced Oxidative Damage in mouse Leydigs cells by Activating Nrf2/ARE Signaling Pathway

“…SFN is an isothiocyanic acid mainly presenting in broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables. It has anti-tumor, anti-apoptotic, anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, and anti-bacterial effects [17,30,31,32]. In this study, TM3 cells were used to analyze the effect and mechanism of action of SFN in antagonizing Cd-induced cytotoxicity via its antioxidant properties.…”

Sulforaphane Modulates AQP8-Linked Redox Signalling in Leukemia Cells

“…On these premises, we investigated the potential effect of the isothiocyanate SFN on the modulation of AQP8 and Nox expression in the leukemic B1647 cell line. As a result of many in vivo and in vitro studies, it was stated that SFN is able to selectively exert cytotoxic effects in various human cancer cells, while having no cytotoxic effects, or being even cytoprotective in normal cells [5, 8]. The treatment of HL-60 cells with increasing concentrations of SFN (0–100 μ M) was reported to induce a dose-dependent decrease in cell viability, with a IC 50 value determined as 49.5 μ M [36]; in pre-B ALL (acute lymphoblastic leukemia) and T-ALL cell lines, it was observed that SFN induce cytotoxicity at concentration ranging from 4 to 10 μ M in contrast to 90 μ M for nonleukemic controls [37].…”

“…Among cruciferous vegetables, broccoli contains the highest concentration of the glucosinolate glucoraphanin, which is hydrolysed by myrosinase and gut microbiota, releasing sulforaphane, SFN (4-methylsulfinylbutyl isothiocyanate). In addition to its well-known anticancer activity [2], SFN has been demonstrated to possess cardioprotective [3], neuroprotective [4], and anti-inflammatory activities [5], suggesting a pleiotropic protective role for this nutraceutical compound.…”

“…Many reports have shown that SFN prevents tumour initiation by both inhibiting phase I enzymes [6] and activating phase II detoxifying enzymes [7]. Moreover, SFN prevents uncontrolled cancer cell proliferation through the modulation of genes involved in apoptosis and cell cycle arrest [5, 8], angiogenesis [9, 10], and metastasis [11, 12].…”

Natural Compounds in Prostate Cancer Prevention and Treatment: Mechanisms of Action and Molecular Targets

“…Phosphoglucomutase 3 (PGM3) belongs to the hexose-phosphate mutase family, and it mediates the conversion of glucose-1-phosphate to glucose-6-phosphate, thus regulating glycolysis and pentose phosphate shunt [194]. Recently, it has been demonstrated to be a specific target for the anti-PCa activity of sulforaphane [195], an organic isothiocyanate derived from broccoli and other cruciferous plants [196,197].…”