Sulforaphane: An emergent anti-cancer stem cell agent

Abstract

Cancer is a major public health concern worldwide responsible for high morbidity and mortality rates. Alternative therapies have been extensively investigated, and plant-derived compounds have caught the attention of the scientific community due to their chemopreventive and anticancer effects. Sulforaphane (SFN) is one of these naturally occurring agents, and studies have shown that it is able to target a specific cancer cell population displaying stem-like properties, known as cancer stem cells (CSCs). These cells can self-renewal and differentiate to form highly heterogeneous tumor masses. Notably, most of the conventional chemotherapeutic agents cannot target CSCs once they usually exist in a quiescent state and overall, the available cytotoxic drugs focus on highly dividing cells. This is, at least in part, one of the reasons why some oncologic patients relapse after standard therapy. In this review we bring together studies supporting not only the chemopreventive and anticancer properties of SFN, but especially the emerging anti-CSCs effects of this natural product and its potential to be used with conventional antineoplastic drugs in the clinical setting.

Sulforaphane-Enriched Extracts from Broccoli Exhibit Antimicrobial Activity against Plant Pathogens, Promising a Natural Antimicrobial Agent for Crop Protection

“…SFN is a promising phytochemical and has caught the attention of the scientific community due to their chemopreventive properties, extensive anticancer effects, and antibacterial activity [ 32 ]. SFN and its precursors, GSLs, widely exist in broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprout, and cabbage, which are all classified as B. oleracea species.…”

Broccoli Consumption and Risk of Cancer: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies

“…Broccoli serves as a significant source of isothiocyanates, small biologically active molecules derived from glucosinolates. Sulforaphane, as an essential compound in broccoli, is an isothiocyanate with notable anticancer and chemopreventive properties [ 97 ]. Sulforaphane plays a crucial role in diverse biological processes associated with cancer, including enzymatic detoxification of carcinogens, attenuation of oxidative stress, initiation of cell cycle arrest, promotion of apoptosis, and regulation of the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition [ 97 , 98 , 99 , 100 , 101 ].…”

“…Sulforaphane, as an essential compound in broccoli, is an isothiocyanate with notable anticancer and chemopreventive properties [ 97 ]. Sulforaphane plays a crucial role in diverse biological processes associated with cancer, including enzymatic detoxification of carcinogens, attenuation of oxidative stress, initiation of cell cycle arrest, promotion of apoptosis, and regulation of the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition [ 97 , 98 , 99 , 100 , 101 ]. Numerous studies have highlighted sulforaphane’s effectiveness in targeting cancer stem cells across various cancer types, thereby enhancing its potential to prevent drug resistance, metastasis, and tumor recurrence.…”

“…Numerous studies have highlighted sulforaphane’s effectiveness in targeting cancer stem cells across various cancer types, thereby enhancing its potential to prevent drug resistance, metastasis, and tumor recurrence. Sulforaphane has shown its effectiveness against various tumors, including lung cancer, prostate cancer, breast cancer, and colon cancer [ 97 , 98 , 99 , 100 , 101 , 102 , 103 , 104 ].…”

“…Exposure to high temperatures during cooking can cause the degradation of myrosinase, decreasing its functionality and hindering the synthesis of sulforaphane. Therefore, it is preferable to opt for the consumption of raw broccoli to enhance the bioavailability and protective effects of sulforaphane [ 97 ]. Moreover, inconsistencies in the adjustment for confounding factors, despite attempts at standardization across studies, introduce another layer of potential variation, given the divergent types and quantities of confounding factors considered.…”