Sulforaphane: A Potent Phytochemical with Remarkable Benefits

Introduction

Sulforaphane [1-isothiocyanate-(4R)-(methylsulfinyl)butane] belongs to the isothiocyanate class of phytochemicals. Widely studied since the 1980s decade, given that it has chemotherapeutic properties, including anti-proliferative and anti-angiogenic properties. However, beyond its anticancer properties, current research has also strongly focused on the effects of sulforaphane against important pathologies, including hyperglycemia and damage to the brain, kidney, liver, heart, and muscle, among others.

Source

Sulforaphane is a dietary isothiocyanate which is synthesized from a precursor found in cruciferous vegetables of the genus Brassica such as cauliflower, broccoli, kale, cole crops, cabbage, collards and brussels sprouts, mustard and cress as well as in other genera as radish (Raphanus sp.). The 4-methylsulfinylbutyl glucosinolate (glucoraphanin) is the sulforaphane precursor, which is generally found in high concentrations in broccoli (0.8–21.7 μmol/g of dry weight). Glucosinolates are physically segregated from the β-thioglucoside glucohydrolase enzyme (EC 3.2.3.1), also named myrosinase, which comes into contact with its substrate when the plant is injured in processes such as pathogen attack, chewing, chopping or preparing for human consumption and as a result, the enzymatic hydrolyzes formation of sulforaphane as the primary reaction product. However, depending on the reaction conditions, including pH, temperature and presence of iron, other reaction products, including thiocyanates and nitriles, could also be formed as a result of non-enzymatic, intramolecular (Lossen) rearrangements.

Benefits

Sulforaphane is one of the most frequently studied plant-derived isothiocyanate organosulfur compounds. It has been reported to exhibit a wide range of biological effects, including antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-ageing, neuroprotective, and antidiabetic. SFN shows a range of biological activities and health benefits in humans and is a very promising chemopreventive agent against not only a variety of cancers such as breast, prostate, colon, skin, lung, stomach, and bladder but also against cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases and diabetes.

References

[1]Clarke, John D., Roderick H. Dashwood, and Emily Ho. "Multi-targeted prevention of cancer by sulforaphane."Cancer letters269.2 (2008): 291-304.

[2]Guerrero-Beltrán, Carlos Enrique, et al. "Protective effect of sulforaphane against oxidative stress: recent advances."Experimental and Toxicologic Pathology64.5 (2012): 503-508.

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