The role of Sulforaphane in cancer chemoprevention and health benefits: a mini-review

Abstract

Cancer is a multi-stage process resulting from aberrant signaling pathways driving uncontrolled proliferation of transformed cells. The development and progression of cancer from a premalignant lesion towards a metastatic tumor requires accumulation of mutations in many regulatory genes of the cell. Different chemopreventative approaches have been sought to interfere with initiation and control malignant progression. Here we present research on dietary compounds with evidence of cancer prevention activity that highlights the potential beneficial effect of a diet rich in cruciferous vegetables. The Brassica family of cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli is a rich source of glucosinolates, which are metabolized to isothiocyanate compounds. Amongst a number of related variants of isothiocyanates, sulforaphane (SFN) has surfaced as a particularly potent chemopreventive agent based on its ability to target multiple mechanisms within the cell to control carcinogenesis. Anti-inflammatory, pro-apoptotic and modulation of histones are some of the more important and known mechanisms by which SFN exerts chemoprevention. The effect of SFN on cancer stem cells is another area of interest that has been explored in recent years and may contribute to its chemopreventive properties. In this paper, we briefly review structure, pharmacology and preclinical studies highlighting chemopreventive effects of SFN.

Human bronchial carcinoid tumor initiating cells are targeted by the combination of acetazolamide and sulforaphane

“…Sulforaphane (SFN), a natural isothiocyanate with histone deacetylase inhibitor activity, can target multiple signaling pathways. SFN has been shown to be efficacious in eliminating TIC through the induction of the NF-kB, Shh, EMT and Wnt/beta-catenin pathways, as well as reducing the level of hypoxia inducible factor-1α [8][9][10][11][12][13]. In a previous study, we demonstrated that the combination of AZ + SFN significantly reduced clonogenic and invasive capacity, and induced growth inhibition of bronchial carcinoid and bladder cancer cell lines [11,12].…”

Nahrungsergänzungsmittel auf Brokkolibasis – wie sieht die Qualitätssituation aus?

“…Hieraus sollen sich antioxidative, antiinflammatorische und zellschützende Eigenschaften ableiten lassen. SFN werden in vitro antiproliferative Effekte gegenüber Krebszellen zugeschrieben [15], wobei pleiotrope Mechanismen auf die molekulare Regulation der Zellproliferation, der mitochondrialen Stoffwechselregulation und der potenziellen Suppression inflammatorischer Prozesse beschrieben werden [10]. Diese Zusammenhänge haben mittlerweile sogar Eingang in Lehrbücher gefunden [16].…”

Drought stress modulates secondary metabolites in Brassica oleracea L. convar. acephala (DC) Alef, var. sabellica L.

“…The Brassicaceae are rich in secondary metabolites such as glucosinolates which, together with their by‐products, namely isothiocyanates, thiocyanates, nitriles, epithionitriles, etc., have been recognized to play a role in plant defence against pathogen aggression . In particular, several papers reported that isothiocyanates play a positive role in cancer prevention and have neuroprotective and immunomodulatory effects in degenerative diseases …”